FCT Police Arrest Three Suspects Over Murder of Abuja Lawyer Nwamaka Chigbo

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the killing of Barrister Chigbo Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix, an Abuja-based lawyer and former Treasurer of the FCT branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in a case linked to the activities of a notorious “one chance” criminal gang.

Barrister Chigbo was reportedly attacked around 5:50pm on January 5, 2026, after boarding a black Volkswagen Golf 3 along the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja. She was later found dead by the roadside. Her killing occurred on the same day Chinemerem Chuwumeziem, a nurse at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, was also found dead, allegedly murdered by “one chance” criminals—sparking widespread outrage and renewed concerns over public safety in the nation’s capital.

Following the incidents, the NBA urged Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT, to treat the resurgence of “one chance” crimes in Abuja as a security emergency, calling for urgent and decisive action to protect residents.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that the arrested suspects are members of an armed robbery syndicate responsible for “one chance” operations within the FCT.

“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,” Adeh said.

According to the police spokesperson, the arrests followed a directive by the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, who ordered a comprehensive investigation to ensure that all those responsible for the murder are brought to justice.

Adeh disclosed that the suspects were arrested between Friday and Saturday in the Dei-Dei, Dakwa, and Dan-Tata communities within the Kubwa area of Abuja. She explained that the breakthrough was achieved after police operatives tracked the victim’s mobile phone using digital intelligence.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly been operating within the FCT for several years, particularly during festive periods when unsuspecting commuters are more vulnerable.

Detailing the incident, Adeh said 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,” she stated.

The suspects also admitted to stealing Barrister Chigbo’s Android phone, which they later sold at Dei-Dei for ₦120,000.

Adeh identified the arrested suspects as Saifullahi Yusuf (22), Ishau Yusuf (24), and Minka’ilu Jibril, also known as Dan-Hajia, all from Kaduna State. She added that Saifullahi and Ishau are brothers.

According to her, the proceeds from the sale of the phone were shared among the gang members: Jibril received ₦30,000, Saifullahi got ₦15,000, while Ishau and another suspect, Musa, who is currently at large, shared the remaining amount.

Items recovered from the suspects include five scissors, two dagger knives, two other knives, a long chain used to restrain victims, and a plier.

Adeh assured residents that investigations are ongoing, noting that efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspect and dismantle the entire criminal syndicate.

Residents are advised to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies as the FCT Police Command continues its clampdown on violent crime.

For more verified updates on security, crime, and justice across Nigeria, stay with Akahi News, your trusted source for credible journalism and public-interest reporting. Follow Akahi News for in-depth coverage and timely developments on this and other major national stories.