The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, must not be allowed to become a fertile ground for deadly “one chance” criminal operations, following the killing of two professionals in separate incidents in the city.
The association raised the alarm after the deaths of Ms. Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem, a nurse, and Princess Chigbo Mediatrix, a lawyer and former Treasurer of the NBA Abuja Branch. Both women were reportedly murdered by criminal gangs operating under the cover of commercial transport services, popularly known as “one chance.”
In a statement issued on Thursday, NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, described the killings as shocking and deeply troubling, warning that they signal a dangerous return of a crime pattern that once terrorised residents of Abuja.
According to the NBA, the two victims were killed in separate incidents, and their bodies were later found in different parts of the city. Osigwe said the deaths were not isolated cases but clear signs of worsening insecurity in the nation’s capital.
“One chance” refers to a criminal method where criminals pose as commercial drivers or passengers, lure unsuspecting commuters into vehicles, rob them, and in some cases, kill them. This crime was rampant in Abuja in past years but had reduced after increased security measures. However, recent reports suggest that the gangs are making a dangerous comeback.
Osigwe noted that the resurgence of these criminal operations has turned daily commuting in Abuja into a frightening experience for residents, many of whom rely on public transport to move around the city.
“What appears to be the disturbing return of ‘one chance’ criminal operations in the Federal Capital Territory has once again plunged Abuja into grief,” Osigwe said in the statement.
He added that the two victims were not just names in the news but hardworking professionals and contributors to society who only wanted to return home safely after their daily activities.
“These were not faceless victims. They were professionals, contributors to society, and ordinary citizens whose only intention was to return safely from their daily engagements. Their deaths underscore a frightening reality that insecurity is once again tightening its grip on the nation’s capital,” he said.
The NBA President described the killing of Princess Chigbo Mediatrix as a painful loss to the legal profession. He recalled her service as former Treasurer of the NBA Abuja Branch, noting that she was dedicated and committed to the association and the legal community.
Her death, he said, highlights the growing vulnerability of lawyers and other professionals who live and work in Abuja, despite the city being the seat of government and headquarters of major security agencies.
“The murder of Princess Mediatrix is a painful reminder that no one is safe when criminals operate with impunity,” Osigwe said.
The killing of Ms. Chinemerem Chuwumeziem, a nurse, has also drawn widespread sympathy, especially among healthcare workers who already face difficult working conditions across the country. Many Nigerians have expressed concern that even those who dedicate their lives to saving others are no longer safe on the streets.
Abuja, often seen as one of the safest cities in Nigeria, has in recent months witnessed a rise in crime, including kidnappings, robberies, and violent attacks. Residents have increasingly complained about insecurity on major roads, in residential areas, and particularly in public transport.
The return of “one chance” crimes has revived old fears among residents who remember how commuters were once forced to scrutinise every vehicle before boarding, especially taxis and buses without clear identification.
In response to the latest killings, the NBA has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to treat the situation as a security emergency.
Osigwe stressed that immediate, visible, and coordinated action is needed to dismantle the criminal gangs responsible for the attacks.
“The NBA calls on the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the Nigeria Police Force, and all other relevant security agencies to treat this situation as a security emergency,” he said.
He urged security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering, surveillance, and policing of transport routes across the city. He also called for targeted operations against known “one chance” syndicates, stressing that such actions must begin without delay.
The NBA President further demanded thorough, transparent, and time-bound investigations into the killings. He insisted that all those involved in the crimes, including drivers, accomplices, and any collaborators, must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted.
“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done,” Osigwe said, adding that failure to act decisively could embolden criminals and worsen the security situation.
Residents of Abuja have also called on the government to improve regulation of commercial transport services, including proper registration of taxis and buses, use of tracking systems, and increased police presence at major bus stops and junctions.
Some commuters have urged authorities to revive past measures, such as joint task force patrols and routine checks on vehicles, which previously helped to reduce “one chance” activities.
The killings have sparked fresh debate on the safety of public transport in Nigerian cities and the need for stronger urban security strategies.
For many Nigerians, the deaths of the nurse and the lawyer represent more than isolated tragedies. They reflect a broader fear that insecurity is spreading even to places meant to be safe.
As investigations continue, the NBA says it will continue to speak out and push for concrete action to ensure that Abuja does not return to a dark era where boarding a vehicle becomes a matter of life and death.
The association expressed condolences to the families, colleagues, and loved ones of the victims and reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of lives, the rule of law, and public safety.
For now, many residents of the FCT are left hoping that the authorities will act swiftly to restore confidence and ensure that the nation’s capital remains a place where people can live, work and move freely without fear.