Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A grim discovery early Wednesday morning on the Kubwa Expressway in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory has shaken commuters and residents, reviving fears over violent crime in and around Abuja. The lifeless body of a woman, later identified from documents found on her person as Princess Ochigbo, was found by the roadside near Dawaki, opposite the Gwarimpa Estate, triggering an urgent police investigation and public appeals for assistance in identifying her relatives and circumstances surrounding her death.
Local authorities and eyewitnesses told journalists that Ochigbo’s handbag was found a short distance from her body, a detail that has heightened suspicion of foul play, possibly linked to robbery or other criminal activity. The location along the often busy Kubwa Express Road and the condition of personal effects near the scene have raised the possibility that she may have been attacked and robbed by hoodlums, who are increasingly suspected of operating in improvised syndicates across the territory. These include groups commonly referred to by residents as “one‑chance” criminals — named for their modus operandi of picking up unsuspecting victims under false pretences before committing theft, assault or worse.
The Nigeria Police Force has assumed control of the case and are urging the public to help reach the woman’s family. Officers from the Dawaki Police Division, located opposite Gwarimpa Estate, have asked anyone with information that might help identify the deceased or locate her next of kin to come forward. Residents have been encouraged to share details widely to help ensure the victim’s relatives are informed promptly.
This incident has amplified wider concerns about commuter safety within the Federal Capital Territory, especially during early morning and late evening hours when commercial traffic and informal transport services are most active. Over recent years, Abuja and its satellite towns have reported a number of violent incidents involving “one‑chance” syndicates and armed robbers in major districts such as Gwarinpa, Dawaki, Kubwa, Life Camp and Lugbe, where residents regularly express unease over security lapses and the vulnerability of passengers who unknowingly board vehicles with criminal intent. (PlacNG)
Security analysts note that the “one‑chance” phenomenon has become a distinct criminal challenge in Abuja. In these scenarios, individuals rely on commercial vehicles — often unregistered or improperly flagged — to transport passengers. Once inside, victims can be robbed, assaulted, kidnapped or abandoned in remote locations. In previous cases tied to the practice, victims have suffered serious injury or death after being thrown from moving vehicles or attacked at secluded spots along highways. (PlacNG)
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has in recent months intensified efforts to curb violent crime through targeted operations aimed at disrupting armed robbery rings, vehicle theft, and other criminal networks. These actions have led to arrests and recoveries of suspects involved in multiple offences across the city, showing both progress and the formidable nature of criminal activity within Nigeria’s seat of government. (The Whistler Newspaper)
Residents’ anxiety is rooted in statistics and lived experience. Another roadside fatality linked to possible criminal activity occurred in July 2025 when the unconscious body of a 23‑year‑old woman, Miss Grace Godwin, was found along Iya Abubakar Street in Life Camp after she unwittingly boarded a vehicle operated by a suspected “one‑chance” robbery syndicate. Police later arrested suspects in connection with that case, reinforcing concerns that such crimes continue despite enforcement efforts. (Matrix News)
Security advocates and residents alike have called on authorities to step up patrols, strengthen transport regulation and adopt robust monitoring of commercial vehicle operations. These voices reflect broader urgency to restore public confidence in safety across Abuja’s road networks, especially key arteries such as the Kubwa Expressway, where traffic volumes and population movement remain high throughout the day and night.
The Federal Capital Territory has faced a spectrum of security challenges beyond “one‑chance” crimes, including armed robberies, kidnappings, and violent confrontations in satellite towns. For example, in October 2025, gunmen killed a prominent veterinarian and former chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association’s FCT chapter and abducted his children in the Kubwa district, underscoring how lethal criminality can be when gangs operate with apparent impunity. (The Nation Newspaper)
Authorities have previously taken action against criminal hideouts and impounded vehicles linked to unlawful activities, often acting on public intelligence or during coordinated raids. These operations reflect a multi‑pronged approach by the FCT Police Command and allied security agencies to suppress lawlessness, though challenges persist amid a growing urban population and complex mobility patterns across the territory. (Voice of Nigeria Broadcasting Service)
Beyond enforcement, there have been discussions at governmental levels about strategic changes to the transport ecosystem. Initiatives include potential partnerships with the private sector to standardise and regulate bus and taxi operations, reduce dependence on informal services susceptible to criminal takeover and improve commuter safety through identifiable, government‑supported vehicles. (The Nation Newspaper)
Civil society groups and community leaders are also pushing for investments in street lighting, CCTV monitoring and community policing structures to deter opportunistic crime, particularly in early morning and late night periods when visibility is low and fewer witnesses are present. They argue that such measures could complement reactive police operations by creating a more robust deterrent environment across high‑risk zones.
For now, the circumstances surrounding Princess Ochigbo’s death remain under investigation, with officials promising updates as inquiries progress. Her tragic discovery serves as a stark reminder of the acute security challenges that Abuja residents and commuters face and highlights the pressing need for coordinated, long‑term strategies to protect life and property in Nigeria’s capital region.
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