This archive report was first published on 27 July 2019.
On July 27, 2019, a state parliament in southwest Nigeria was forced to go into an indefinite recess after a snake burst into the chamber.
According to Olugbenga Omole, a spokesman for lawmakers from Ondo State, the snake appeared to have fallen from the roof into the plenary chamber.
"When we were about to enter into plenary, a big snake just ran out of the chamber which disrupted our sitting and we had to hurriedly leave the chamber," Omole said.
The snake was caught and killed by parliament staff, but not before lawmakers had to flee the scene.
Omole blamed the incident on the dilapidated state of the assembly due to a lack of funds and overdue maintenance.
"That chamber is no longer safe for legislative business and because of that, we decided to adjourn indefinitely," Omole said.
Lawmakers will not return until a proper fumigation of the complex is done.
Nigeria has many snakes, including venomous vipers, spitting cobras, and puff adders.
According to a 2001 study, nearly 500 people per 100,000 of the population are bitten by snakes in Nigeria on average per year.
