The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the killing of an Abuja-based lawyer, Princess Chigbo Mediatrix and a nurse, Ms. Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem describing the incidents as evidence of a disturbing resurgence of “one chance” criminal operations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA said the two victims died in separate incidents after falling prey to criminals posing as commercial transport operators. Their bodies were later discovered in different parts of the city.
Osigwe said the victims were professionals and contributing members of society whose deaths underscored growing insecurity in the nation’s capital.
“These were not faceless victims. They were ordinary citizens whose only intention was to return safely from their daily engagements,” the statement said, adding that the killings had plunged Abuja into fear and grief.
Ms. Chuwumeziem was described as a nurse who spent her days saving lives, while Princess Chigbo Mediatrix was a lawyer and former Treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch.
According to the NBA, the killings reflect a broader pattern of criminal gangs operating with increasing boldness on Abuja roads, turning daily commuting into what it described as a “deadly gamble.”
The association said the murder of Princess Chigbo Mediatrix was particularly painful for the legal profession, noting that she was a committed member of the Bar who served the Abuja Branch with dedication.
“These deaths are not isolated tragedies. They point to a growing breakdown in public safety in the seat of government,” the NBA said.
The association called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to treat the situation as a security emergency. It urged authorities to intensify intelligence gathering, surveillance, and policing of transport corridors, as well as conduct targeted operations against known “one chance” syndicates.
The NBA also demanded thorough, transparent, and time-bound investigations into the killings, insisting that those responsible must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted.
“The protection of life is the first duty of the state. Citizens should not have to choose between earning a living and staying alive,” the statement said.
The NBA extended condolences to the families of the deceased, the healthcare community, the NBA Abuja Branch, and the wider legal profession, urging that the deaths should not fade into statistics but serve as a turning point in addressing insecurity in Abuja.
