The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is encountering heightened challenges due to the resurgence of violent “one-chance” criminal networks, resulting in growing concerns about public safety and security among residents. A recent spate of severe attacks on commuters has highlighted vulnerabilities in the security infrastructure within the Federal Capital Territory. In early January 2026, “one‑chance”
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is encountering heightened challenges due to the resurgence of violent “one-chance” criminal networks, resulting in growing concerns about public safety and security among residents. A recent spate of severe attacks on commuters has highlighted vulnerabilities in the security infrastructure within the Federal Capital Territory.
In early January 2026, “one‑chance” criminal attacks claimed the lives of two young professionals—these violent and opportunistic crimes target unsuspecting commuters and travellers. Such events are part of a growing trend of increasing crime and anxiety affecting the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
On the afternoon of January 3, Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem—a committed nurse at the Federal Medical Centre in Jabi—finished her shift and got into a commercial vehicle to head home. She never arrived.
Her lifeless body was found the following morning by the roadside. She’s believed to be a victim of what authorities and her professional association believe were violent actions by “one‑chance” operators who pose as legitimate drivers and then attack their riders.
Chinemrem’s colleagues in the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives expressed concern that her death was not only an assault on a healthcare worker, but also a significant challenge to the safety of all frontline professionals who face extended working hours and hazardous travel conditions.
Just a few days afterwards, on January 5, another event occurred involving Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo, a prominent lawyer and former Treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abuja Branch.
Barrister Chigbo got into a taxi on the Kubwa Expressway, not realising that it was being run by members of a well-known “one‑chance” armed robbery gang. Rather than being taken to her destination, she was threatened with weapons, assaulted, and ultimately pushed down from a moving vehicle. Her lifeless body was found on the roadside.
Security forces announced the apprehension of three individuals in connection with her death: Saifullahi Yusuf (22), his brother Ishau Yusuf (24), and Minka’ilu Jibril, also known as Dan‑Hajia. A fourth suspect remains at large. The arrests were made following an intelligence-driven operation that tracked Chigbo’s stolen mobile phone, underscoring the calculated actions of these criminal groups.
The fatalities of Chuwumeziem and Chigbo have provoked significant concern within Nigeria’s legal and healthcare communities. The usual “one-chance” criminals usually lure victims into vehicles before robbing or kidnapping them, but the recent incidents resulting in fatalities have heightened fears among residents.
Abuja’s residents and everyday commuters now face a heightened sense of vulnerability, prompting calls for sustained, coordinated action from the police, federal authorities, and community leaders to curb these violent trends.
These prominent homicide cases occur within the context of significant security issues in Nigeria, where both urban and rural regions have faced kidnappings, armed robberies, and violent insurgencies in recent years.
Although the FCT Police Command has arrested some “one-chance” suspects and rescued kidnapping victims before, recent deaths show that Abuja’s streets are still dangerous for many residents. The situation in Abuja extends beyond isolated criminal activity; it signifies an underlying challenge concerning public safety and trust that has implications for families, communities, and the broader national sentiment.
The tragic deaths of Chinemerem Chuwumeziem and Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo underscore the critical necessity for systemic reforms, enhanced law enforcement, and community-based initiatives. Such measures are essential to address preventable insecurity in Nigeria’s capital and surrounding regions, aiming to safeguard lives and promote public safety.
Is Abuja’s Insecurity Crisis Becoming a Norm?
Incidents of kidnappings, “one-chance” robberies, and home invasions in the capital have significantly impacted residents’ behaviour and undermined public confidence.
Their deaths have sent shockwaves across professional communities and underscored the vulnerability of everyday commuters and professionals in the capital.
In the last six months, Abuja and the FCT have seen increased assaults, kidnappings, armed robberies, and cult clashes. Residents in various area councils, including Bwari and Gwagwalada, have experienced incidents of abduction and bandit activity, which at times have led to fatalities or ransom requests.
Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a 29-year-old lawyer and Arise TV anchor, was killed during a robbery at her Katampe home three months ago, highlighting that insecurity now affects residential areas as well as roads.
Law enforcement agencies have periodically achieved tactical success by apprehending individuals suspected of kidnapping and neutralising certain criminal elements through targeted operations. In several instances, credible intelligence has enabled authorities to prevent planned large-scale attacks.
What the Government Should Do to Curb Insecurity
Mr. Dipo Ayelodun, a governance and policy analyst, stated that Abuja’s growing insecurity mirrors nationwide criminal violence and requires a coordinated response.
He emphasized that the recent increase in “one-chance” incidents and kidnappings highlights the importance of proactive, intelligence-driven strategies instead of responding only after crimes have taken place.
He stated, “Intelligence units should prioritise the monitoring of transit routes, informal transport networks, and identified criminal shelters. These facilities must be expanded, outfitted with advanced surveillance technology, and supported by rapid response capabilities.”
Mr. Ayelodun stated that security issues go beyond policing and are driven by deeper problems the government should address.
He suggested that persistent economic difficulties, high youth unemployment, and social exclusion can drive individuals towards criminal activity. He recommended that national and FCT authorities increase job creation efforts, invest in education and community programs, and strengthen local policing partnerships to build trust between communities and security agencies.
Communities in the FCT should work with security agencies to share intelligence, safeguard residents, and improve safety. Effective community policing, supported by training and oversight, can assist law enforcement and help prevent crime.
“Part of curbing violent criminal activity is ensuring that suspects apprehended are prosecuted transparently and swiftly. Slow, opaque legal processes weaken the deterrent effect of arrest and embolden criminal networks. Strengthening the justice system, from investigation through trial, is crucial,” he added.
