₦airaland Forum

“People Thought I Was Possessed and Called Me a Witch” — Nigerian Herpetologist Taiwo Okikiola Opens Up About Fighting Snake Myths Through Social Media

BBC Africa posts Nigerian herpetologist, Taiwo Okikiola, who uses social media to educate on snake conservation while facing accusations of witchcraft rooted in local fears and spiritual beliefs.

The video below shows Okikiola handling pythons, explaining her rescue and release work, and how family members once viewed her as possessed for her interest in snakes.

A snake sighting almost anywhere can trigger panic, often fuelled by fear, myths and spiritual beliefs. But these reptiles are so misunderstood.

Despite being called "a witch", herpetologist Taiwo Okikiola continues to use social media to raise awareness about snake conservation.

A snake sighting almost anywhere can trigger panic, often fuelled by fear, myths and spiritual beliefs. But these reptiles are so misunderstood.
Despite being called "a witch", herpetologist Taiwo Okikiola continues to use social media to raise awareness about snake conservation. pic.twitter.com/6brBlq9gMi

— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) July 20, 2026

I see her becoming a water chief priestess, I see her in a sex scandal with a certain towel minister, I see one of her snakes biting the towel man on his bum bum, I see DSS inviting her for questioning, I see her vanishing from their cell. I see the case being swept under the carpet.

This I have seen.

Rubbish!

So, holding harmless Eke now makes you a snake woman or herpetologist, why not hold Cobra or Mamba like that to prove your your serpentine linkage. A professional herpetologist is not stupid

Snake woman no be for cobra and black mamba

Ate you a witch or not? Tha is all we need to know

FalseProphet1:
I see her becoming a water chief priestess, I see her in a sex scandal with a certain towel minister, I see one of her snakes biting the towel man on his bum bum, I see DSS inviting her for questioning, I see her vanishing from their cell. I see the case being swept under the carpet.

This I have seen.

My noble lord! Permit your servant to return to your services.

Nigerians are supertitious people

DSS1335:
Rubbish!

So, holding harmless Eke now makes you a snake woman or herpetologist, why not hold Cobra or Mamba like that to prove your your serpentine linkage. A professional herpetologist is not stupid

Its takes some nerves for a girl to hold a snake.

Me dont want to know its python or cobra, na to run or kill based on instinct.

Enddy50ty:
Snake woman no be for cobra and black mamba

Or Rattlesnake! sss

DeepSight:
My noble lord! Permit your servant to return to your services.

You're permitted. Return and be fruitful

NewsNigerians seeing ‘shege promax’ under Tinubu – Sowore

HawkTuahGirl:
Its takes some nerves for a girl to hold a snake.

Lol. Even entertainers do it, and some at that for wild kinks.

I like her goal. People shouldn't just die cos of snake bites when venoms can be gotten, kept and made affordable

FalseProphet1:
You're permitted. Return and be fruitful

Oh rest assured my lord! You are protected!

DSS1335:
Rubbish!

So, holding harmless Eke now makes you a snake woman or herpetologist, why not hold Cobra or Mamba like that to prove your your serpentine linkage. A professional herpetologist is not stupid

Many people can not be 10ft close to any snake even in death. lol. For her to recognize the harmless ones with just a LinkedIn video is something. She can graduate from there. Moreso, she told you why is is holding and picking interest in them to be health resources for Nigerians

She is better at her skills than Tinubu who is worst as a President!!

That's a python not snake

HawkTuahGirl:
Its takes some nerves for a girl to hold a snake.

People who see snake and run away do not have sufficient knowledge of the creature.

snake lady as his bro. Wetin I just read now 🤨😋

DSS1335:
Rubbish!

So, holding harmless Eke now makes you a snake woman or herpetologist, why not hold Cobra or Mamba like that to prove your your serpentine linkage. A professional herpetologist is not stupid

Anything snake nor they cross my path. if i see them, i run or we both run. i don't care if it's harmless or not.

She sweat come out for that thick Jean.

Ubachinwe1:
That's a python not snake

Is like you no watch the video. She kept a King Cobra inside cage

Las las na snake go kill this one...

Snake is definitely different from harmless EKE.

Do not confuse venomous snake with EKE. They're two different versions.

Somehow, which may be hard to believe, that lady is an extraordinary being who has undergone immense spiritual transformation and rebirth. She is a person filled with wisdom and possesses the natural ability to heal.

The one who dares to be different takes the stage. Go girl with your work!

Anything for the gram...


Shhhh

FalseProphet1:
I see her becoming a water chief priestess, I see her in a sex scandal with a certain towel minister, I see one of her snakes biting the towel man on his bum bum, I see DSS inviting her for questioning, I see her vanishing from their cell. I see the case being swept under the carpet.

This I have seen.

Lol😹I’ve missed you man. Where have you been?

The story of Eve & Snake, Adam and the tree of life. Read it carefully.

Rapmoney:
People who see snake and run away do not have sufficient knowledge of the creature.

The only knowledge you need about them to thrive is to run!
Quote me daily.

Una two don ment before now

DeepSight:
My noble lord! Permit your servant to return to your services.

MatrixReloaded:
Una two don ment before now

We will not take this.

I hereby introduce myself as the High Legal, Spiritual and Security Counsel to his noble excellency and majesty, the FalseProphet1

Be it known to ye and all men, fish, beasts, and toads in particular, that his excellency is beyond all reproach under the sky whatsoever.

Be firmly warned of our spiritual retaliation capacities, be warned and comport thyself accordingly.

Signed,
DeepSight
High Counsel (with a whip) to the one and only Lord and Excellency, FalseProphet1.

Long live false prophecy.

FalseProphet1:
I see her becoming a water chief priestess, I see her in a sex scandal with a certain towel minister, I see one of her snakes biting the towel man on his bum bum, I see DSS inviting her for questioning, I see her vanishing from their cell. I see the case being swept under the carpet.

This I have seen.

I see the snake / water chief priestess marrying fake prophet. I see them giving birth to twins named Nagin and Hannah(conda), I see Najin always with this super powers of discovering hidden treasures full of gold coins and diamonds . This , I have seen .

Long time , no " foresee " falseprophet .