The brutal killing of Abuja-based lawyer Nwamaka Chigbo by unidentified kidnappers has sparked national outrage and raised serious concerns about security in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The deceased, who was a former Treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch, and a member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, as well as the Global Association of Female Lawyers, GAFA, was abducted in circumstances that have shocked the legal community and the public alike.
According to the family, the incident began when Nwamaka was on a phone call with her sister, Anthonia. During the conversation, distressing sounds were heard in the background, including her cries, “I am dying, save me, please send money,” before the call abruptly went dead. Subsequent attempts by the family to contact the kidnappers produced a chilling message demanding N3 million in ransom, delivered in both English and Hausa. When further calls were made to seek clarification on the payment, the kidnappers provided no information, only the sound of Nwamaka’s screams.
The family immediately contacted security authorities, who assured them that efforts were underway to track the kidnappers. Despite these interventions, the abductors never initiated further communication, leaving the family in a state of panic and helplessness. On January 6, the family was informed that a woman had been found in critical condition and taken to a specialist hospital in Abuja. Upon arrival, Dr Maureen Chigbo, Nwamaka’s younger sister and Editor and Publisher of Realnews Magazine, found her sister’s body in the mortuary. She had visible signs of brutal torture, including bruises, swollen eyes, and a fractured skull, confirming fears that the lawyer had been murdered.
The killing has elicited condemnation from legal professionals and human rights activists across the country. Former NBA Abuja Chairman, Afam Okeke, described the incident as “a glaring reminder of the vulnerability of residents in the FCT to organized criminal elements,” and called for enhanced intelligence-sharing and proactive policing to curb the operations of one-chance kidnappers. He emphasized the need for effective deployment of law enforcement resources, real-time surveillance, and public awareness campaigns to ensure the safety of residents and commuters.
Human rights lawyer Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor also spoke against the rising trend of kidnapping and violence in the FCT. He recommended mandatory profiling and digital tagging of all commercial vehicles, integration of real-time CCTV surveillance, undercover intelligence operations, and public education on safe commuting practices. According to Ejiofor, one-chance kidnappers exploit weaknesses in security, often posing as legitimate commercial transport operators to abduct, rob, and increasingly murder unsuspecting commuters.
The FCT Police Command confirmed that an investigation has commenced into the circumstances surrounding Nwamaka Chigbo’s death. Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, met with a delegation from the NBA and assured them that all efforts were being made to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. The NBA delegation expressed their deep concern over the killing of a fellow legal practitioner and stressed the need for stronger measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident has reignited national debate over the effectiveness of security measures in the FCT, particularly with regard to the protection of commuters and residents from organized criminal groups. Advocates have urged the government to increase street lighting, expand CCTV coverage, enhance intelligence-led policing, and establish rapid response mechanisms to deter kidnappers.
Nwamaka Chigbo’s death has left a void in the legal community and a grieving family, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in security infrastructure and enforcement in Abuja. As investigations continue, the public remains anxious for justice and stronger measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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