The recent killings of Abuja-based lawyer Chigbo Mediatrix and nurse Chinemerem Chuwumeziem by suspected “one chance” criminals have sparked and brought about widespread public outrage and persistent calls for urgent security reforms in Nigeria’s capital. Both women were kidnapped and killed by assailants who claimed to be commercial transport operators. Their bodies were later found dumped in different parts of the city.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) have strongly condemned and decried the killings, describing them as terrible , disheartening and evidence that security is no longer what it was in Abuja and the situation has worsened overtime. NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, revealed that the victims were not just mere nonentities but professionals contributing to society. He insisted immediate action be taken and for justice to be served including intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance, and targeted operations against known “one chance” syndicates.
FIDA Abuja Branch Chairperson, Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, persistently echoed these sentiments, calling on the Federal Capital Territory Administration to immediately declare a security emergency. She advocated for the establishment of a dedicated multi-agency task force to dismantle and search out the criminal networks who are behind these terrible and inhumane acts. FIDA also called for the installation of functional CCTV systems along major transport corridors and the sanitization of commercial transportation through proper identification and registration of operators.
The FCT Police Command has disclosed that thorough investigations are now ongoing to bring to light the circumstances surrounding these incidents. However, the public and professional bodies demand more proactive measures to ensure the safety of residents, particularly vulnerable commuters. The tragic deaths of Mediatrix and Chuwumeziem underscore the urgent need for decisive action to combat the menace of “one chance” criminals in Abuja.
