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By Oscar Okhifo
Fresh outrage has erupted over worsening insecurity in Abuja following a resurgence of deadly “one-chance” attacks that have claimed the lives of two professionals within a single week, even as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is reportedly away in Rivers State on political activities.
The victims—Ms. Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem, a nurse with the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, and Princess Chigbo Mediatrix, a lawyer and former Treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch—were allegedly targeted by criminals masquerading as commercial transport operators. Their bodies were later found in different parts of the city, deepening public fear and anger.
The Nigerian Bar Association and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Abuja Branch, have condemned the killings, warning that the return of “one-chance” syndicates signals a dangerous escalation of insecurity in the nation’s capital.
In a statement, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, described the incidents as part of a disturbing resurgence of organized criminal activity in Abuja.
“These were not faceless victims. They were professionals and contributors to society whose only intention was to return home safely from their daily engagements,” Osigwe said, describing the attacks as “senseless and horrifying.”
He called on FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to treat the situation as a security emergency, urging intensified intelligence gathering and targeted operations to dismantle “one-chance” syndicates.
Once regarded as a relatively safe city, Abuja is increasingly gripped by fear as criminals openly terrorize residents and commuters. City centers and suburban areas alike have become vulnerable, raising serious concerns about the safety of lives and property.
Critics argue that Minister Wike has failed to rise to the challenge, accusing him of neglecting his core responsibility of securing the capital while spending time in Rivers State on what they describe as premature political campaigning.
Public frustration is mounting, with many Nigerians questioning why the Minister has not been called to order and compelled to return to Abuja to confront the worsening crisis. Some commentators have gone as far as urging President Bola Tinubu to relieve him of his duties if he is unable to focus on governing the nation’s capital.
Observers warn that without urgent and decisive intervention, Abuja risks sliding into a full-blown security nightmare.
Speaking at a press briefing, FIDA Abuja Chairperson Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko expressed deep shock over the killing of Princess Mediatrix, describing the incident as a damning reflection of the deteriorating security situation.
“We mourn with the families and condemn this heinous act in the strongest terms,” Onyenucheya-Uko said.
She called on authorities to declare a security emergency specifically targeting “one-chance” operations and to establish a dedicated multi-agency task force to dismantle the criminal networks behind them.
FIDA further demanded improved surveillance infrastructure, including functional CCTV cameras along major transport corridors, stricter regulation of commercial transport operators, and immediate intelligence-driven patrols to protect commuters.
The renewed wave of “one-chance” killings—where criminals lure victims into vehicles under the guise of public transport before attacking them—has heightened fear across Abuja, particularly among residents who rely on commercial transportation.
Civil society organisations and professional bodies are now pressing for swift and transparent investigations, immediate arrests, and speedy prosecution of suspects linked to the attacks. They warn that failure to act decisively will embolden criminal elements and further erode public confidence in security within the Federal Capital Territory.