THIS DAWN — Former Chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, has sharply rebuked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over the murder of Princess Nwamaka Chigbo.

Prof. Odinkalu, on his “X” (formerly Twitter) handle, @ChidiOdinkalu, noted that Princess Chigbo, a former Treasurer of Nigerian Bar Association, was murdered in Abuja on her return from the Christmas Holidays in South East this week.

He regretted that “rather than do his job of guaranteeing security in the Federal Capital & ensuring the perpetrators are brought to book & the residents reassured, the FCT Minister, @GovWike, is busy pursuing personal political vendettas far away in Port Harcourt.”

Overview of the Incident

Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo, a respected legal practitioner and former Treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch, was found murdered early this week in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Her lifeless body was discovered along the Kubwa Expressway, near Dawaki, after she returned to Abuja from the Christmas holidays in Southeast Nigeria.

According to preliminary accounts, the incident likely involved suspected “one‑chance” criminal operators.

These are mobile armed robbers who target unsuspecting commuters using commercial vehicles.

Circumstances of the Murder

Multiple reports indicate the following sequence of events:

• Princess Chigbo traveled from Umuoji, Anambra State, to Abuja after the holiday season and attempted to reach her residence.

• She boarded what is believed to be a commercial transport vehicle but never arrived at her destination.

• Her body was later seen lying by the roadside, with personal items found at a distance, suggesting robbery and a violent encounter characteristic of “one‑chance” syndicates.

The professional community and law enforcement have not fully clarified whether she was forcibly removed from the vehicle or attacked on site.

However, early indications support a pattern consistent with recent commuter attacks in Abuja.

Profile and Professional Background

Princess Nwamaka Chigbo was:

• A distinguished lawyer and former Treasurer of the NBA Abuja Branch.

• An active member of legal associations, including the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

• Recognized within legal and human‑rights circles for her professional contributions.

Her standing in the bar and professional community makes her death a notable loss for the legal fraternity.

Security Context: “One‑Chance” Crimes in Abuja

The murder of Princess Chigbo comes amid a renewed series of violent attacks attributed to so‑called “one‑chance” criminal gangs operating in the FCT.

These groups allegedly:

• Pose as commercial transport operators.

• Target commuters early in the morning or late at night.

• Engage victims in transit and often rob, assault, and in some cases kill them.

The NBA and other civil society actors have raised serious concerns that these syndicates have become emboldened.

They have turned daily commuting into a dangerous activity in a city meant to exemplify public safety.

Chigbo’s death follows quickly on the heels of another high‑profile murder in Abuja — the killing of Chinemerem Chuwumeziem.

Chuwumeziem was a nurse and staff member of the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, whose body was also found by the roadside under similar circumstances.

This pattern has intensified fears about commuter safety and the effectiveness of security operations in the FCT.

Reactions from the Nigerian Bar Association

NBA through its national leadership, has publicly condemned the killing and called for urgent government action.

Key points from the NBA’s official response include:

• The NBA described the attacks as a frightening return of “one‑chance” crimes in Abuja.

• The association emphasized that both victims were professionals simply seeking safe passage home when attacked.

• NBA President Afam Osigwe stated that these incidents signal a serious erosion of public safety, especially in Nigeria’s capital.

• The NBA has urged the FCT Administration, the Nigeria Police Force, and security agencies to treat the resurgence of these crimes as an urgent security emergency.

The association specifically called for:

• Intelligence‑led operations targeting criminal syndicates.

• Enhanced surveillance and policing of transport corridors.

• Thorough investigations with timely arrests and prosecutions.

Broader Public and Civil Society Response

Beyond the NBA, female lawyers under the FIDA platform and other professional groups have echoed calls for a state‑level emergency response to confront the menace of “one‑chance operators”.

Local legal alumni networks and professional bodies have also issued statements condemning the violence and demanding swift justice and security reform.

The murder of Princess Nwamaka Chigbo highlights several critical concerns:

• A deterioration of commuter safety in what is nominally Nigeria’s safest urban environment.

• Rising public disquiet over the efficacy of security operations in the FCT.

• Heightened fear among professionals and ordinary citizens over routine travel within Abuja.

• Increasing pressure on state and federal authorities to address organised criminal operations with urgency.

Ongoing Investigations

Security agencies, including the FCT Police Command, have confirmed that initial investigations are underway.

Authorities have acknowledged the potential links to “one‑chance” gangs and have pledged continued efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible.

No confirmed arrests have been publicly reported at the time of this report.

The murder of Princess Chigbo is a troubling tragedy with layered significance:

• It underscores severe security vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s capital.

• It has galvanized calls for stronger protective measures for commuters.

• It amplifies long‑standing concerns about criminal syndicates operating with apparent impunity.

Her death, along with that of the nurse Chinemerem Chuwumeziem, forms a tragic pattern that threatens public confidence in safety and governance within Abuja.