The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command says three suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the killing of Nwamaka Chigbo, an Abuja-based lawyer.
Nwamaka Chigbo, former treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association FCT branch, was reportedly discovered dead by the roadside in Abuja after an attack linked to a ‘one chance’ gang on January 5, shortly after boarding a black Volkswagen Golf 3 along the Kubwa expressway.
The incident occurred on the same day Chinemerem Chuwumeziem, a nurse with the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, was also found dead in circumstances blamed on ‘one chance’ criminals.
Following the killings, the NBA urged Nyesom Wike, FCT minister, to treat the resurgence of “one chance” attacks in Abuja as a security emergency.
Josephine Adeh, FCT police spokesperson, said in a statement on Sunday that those arrested belonged to an armed robbery syndicate known for ‘one chance’ operations.
Adeh said the arrests followed a directive from Miller Dantawaye, FCT commissioner of police, mandating the swift identification and prosecution of those responsible.
“The federal capital territory (FCT) police command has recorded a major breakthrough in its sustained fight against violent crime with the arrest of three notorious armed robbery suspects involved in ‘one-chance’ criminal operations and the gruesome murder of a legal practitioner, Barrister Chigbo Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix,” the statement said.
Adeh explained that the suspects were apprehended between Friday and Saturday in Dei-Dei, Dakwa and Dan-Tata communities within the Kubwa axis after officers traced the victim’s mobile phone using digital intelligence.
She said early findings indicate that the group had operated across the FCT for years, with increased activity during festive periods.
According to her, the suspects confessed to rolling up the tinted windows of their vehicle, threatening the victim with weapons, and attempting to extort ransom from her.
“She was allegedly assaulted and pushed out of the moving vehicle after she refused to cooperate, leading to her death, the police said.
“The suspects also admitted stealing the victim’s Android phone and selling it in Dei-Dei for N120,000.
“Those arrested as Saifullahi Yusuf, 22, Ishau Yusuf, 24, and Minka’ilu Jibril, also known as Dan-Hajia, all from Kaduna state.”
Adeh said Saifullahi Yusuf and Ishau Yusuf are siblings.
She said Jibril received N30,000 from the proceeds of the sale, Yusuf took N15,000, while Ishau Yusuf and another suspect, Musa, who remains at large, shared the balance.
The police said items recovered include five scissors, two dagger knives, two additional knives, a long chain used to restrain victims and a plier.
She added that investigations are continuing, with efforts intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspect and dismantle the wider network.