Residents of Abuja are reeling in sorrow and disbelief following the gruesome murder of a young lady who fell prey to the notorious “one-chance” syndicate that has been terrorizing commuters across the capital city. The victim, whose name is being withheld pending confirmation from the authorities, was said to be on her way to work when she boarded what appeared to be a regular commercial vehicle near Wuse Junction on Monday morning.
However, within minutes of boarding the vehicle, she realized she was held hostage by criminals posing as transporters—a growing menace in Abuja known for robbing, assaulting, and sometimes even killing their victims.
Lifeless Body Found at City Outskirts
Tragically, the young woman’s lifeless body was discovered later that evening in an abandoned area along the Karmo-Gwagwa axis, a known hotspot for criminal dumping activities.
The scene left residents deeply shaken, with some alleging that the area has been flagged multiple times to law enforcement for similar activities, yet no concrete action has been taken.
Eyewitnesses who stumbled on the body reported that she had sustained visible injuries, suggesting that she may have resisted or struggled with her captors before being fatally overpowered.
This incident has reignited widespread public anger and panic as the frequency of “one-chance” operations has surged in recent months, particularly in Abuja and other urban cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt.
Commuters are now expressing fear and uncertainty over their daily transportation routines.
“This is beyond heartbreaking,” said Mrs. Jumoke Olatunji, a resident of the area and mother of two. “It could have been anybody. This lady just boarded a taxi like we all do every day. If she wasn’t safe, none of us are.”
Law Enforcement Under Pressure
In response to the growing outrage, the FCT Police Command released a brief statement condemning the act and confirming that an investigation is currently underway to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
A spokesperson for the command, DSP Danjuma Gambo, stated:
“This unfortunate incident is a priority case. We are working closely with our intelligence team and local vigilantes to track and apprehend every person involved in this wicked act. No stone will be left unturned.”
However, many Nigerians are calling for more than promises. On social media, the hashtag #JusticeForAbujaLady began trending within hours, with citizens demanding immediate clampdown on vehicles without registration numbers, stronger surveillance, and community policing in known black spots.
The “one-chance” phenomenon—a term Nigerians use to describe criminals who disguise as commercial drivers to rob or harm passengers—has become a national emergency, with the method now evolving into deadlier and more organized operations.
Victims are often drugged, beaten, or forced to transfer money via mobile apps under duress. In extreme cases, like this tragic one, victims never make it back home.
Security experts warn that unless authorities begin a coordinated crackdown involving fleet regulation, identity verification for transporters, and advanced surveillance technology, more innocent lives may be lost.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Security is not a luxury. It is the bare minimum every Nigerian deserves when they leave home and hope to return.” – Dr. Mustapha Zakari, Human Rights Advocate.
As the deceased family mourns the untimely loss of their daughter and Nigeria once again grapples with an avoidable tragedy, questions linger in the air: When will it end? How many more lives must be lost before serious action is taken? For a nation hailed as the “Giant of Africa,” incidents like this paint a painful picture of a system that continues to fail its most vulnerable citizens.
