Women lawyers under the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) have called on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and security chiefs to declare a state of emergency to stem the growing menace of ‘one-chance’ robberies in Abuja.
The group made the demand yesterday at a press briefing following the murder of a nurse, Chinemerem Chuwumeziem, and senior lawyer, Princess Chigbo Mediatrix, both believed to have been killed by one-chance syndicates operating in the FCT.
The lawyer’s remains were found dumped by the roadside days after the nurse’s death.
Chairperson of FIDA, Abuja chapter, Mrs Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, said the killings underscore the alarming collapse of security in a city regarded as the nation’s administrative and legal centre.
“We mourn with the families and colleagues of our members. However, we condemn this barbaric act in the strongest terms.
No nation governed by law should accept the routine kidnap, assault and murder of its citizens, particularly in its capital city,” she said.
Describing the latest killings as part of a disturbing trend, she said the continued activities of one-chance operators have persisted despite repeated warnings by victims, civil society and the media.
According to her, expressions of sympathy are no longer sufficient.
She called on the minister to immediately declare a security emergency, unveil a dedicated taskforce to dismantle the criminal networks, and deploy operational CCTV systems across major transport routes, terminals and known danger points.
FIDA also demanded reforms in the public transport sector, including mandatory registration and identification of all commercial vehicles and informal transport operators.
The group further urged the police, DSS, NSCDC and allied agencies to adopt intelligence-driven patrols, coordinated stop-and-search, and covert surveillance to check the activities of the syndicates.
It asked security agencies to arrest suspects, conduct thorough investigations and prosecute offenders.
The judiciary, Onyenucheya-Uko added, must prioritise speedy hearing of one-chance cases to ensure justice is swift and deterrent.
She stressed that the safety of residents is a constitutional duty:
“When officers of the court can be abducted and murdered in the heart of the capital, the message to other citizens—especially women who rely on public transport—is terrifying.”
Onyenucheya-Uko said FIDA will sustain advocacy and may pursue legal action to compel stronger security interventions.
“We honour our fallen colleague not with silence, but with resolve. Enough is enough,” she declared.