The lifeless body of a woman identified as Princess Ochigbo has been discovered along the Kubwa Expressway in the Federal Capital Territory, marking the second such incident involving a female victim within a span of three days.
The discovery was made on Tuesday, according to information circulating on social media, barely seventy-two hours after a nurse identified only as Chinemerem Chuwumeziem was found dead after reportedly leaving her afternoon shift at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, on January 3.
Details of the latest incident emerged through a post shared on Wednesday by an X user operating under the handle @HighChiefOkoro, who published photographs of the deceased’s lifeless body lying by the roadside, alongside images of her identification card.
According to the account, the deceased was found along the Kubwa Expressway with her bag discovered several metres away from where her body lay. The bag reportedly contained her identity card and other personal belongings, which provided initial clues to her identity.
Documents recovered from the scene suggested that Princess Ochigbo may have been a staff member of the FCT High Court, though official confirmation of her employment status has not yet been provided by the court administration.
“A lady named Princess Ochigbo, reportedly a staff member at the High Court in the FCT, was found dead on the roadside, likely a victim of ‘one chance’ robbery. Her identification documents suggested she worked at the High Court,” the X user wrote.
The post further directed anyone with information about the deceased’s relatives to contact the Dawaki Division of the Nigeria Police Force, located opposite Gwarimpa Estate along Kubwa Express Road, Abuja, providing a contact number: 08023009319.
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“If you know anyone related to her, kindly contact the Dawaki Division of the Nigeria Police Force, located opposite Gwarimpa Estate along Kubwa Express Road, Abuja, via 08023009319. Kindly disseminate this information to help locate her family,” the message stated.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has since confirmed awareness of the incident and announced that investigations have commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.
In a brief statement issued on Wednesday, FCT Police Public Relations Officer Josephine Adeh acknowledged the tragic occurrence and assured the public that detectives had begun work on the case.
“The FCT Police Command is aware of this sad incident. Discreet investigations are ongoing to unravel the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident,” Adeh stated.
She added that further information would be made available as investigations progressed, noting that the command was working to piece together what transpired before the woman’s death.
“More information will be provided in due course as investigations progress,” the police spokesperson said.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of residents in the FCT, particularly regarding the persistent threat posed by criminal gangs operating under the notorious “one chance” scheme—a term used to describe commercial vehicles whose operators rob and sometimes kill passengers after luring them into vehicles disguised as legitimate public transport.
The “one chance” phenomenon has plagued Abuja and its surrounding areas for years, with women appearing to be disproportionately targeted by these criminal syndicates. Victims are typically picked up along major roads and expressways, often during commuting hours, and subjected to robbery, assault, and in extreme cases, murder.
The modus operandi typically involves a commercial bus or taxi with crew members posing as regular passengers or conductors. Once an unsuspecting passenger boards, the vehicle diverts from the expected route, and the occupants reveal their criminal intent, robbing victims of cash, phones, and other valuables. In some instances, victims who resist or attempt to escape are subjected to violence, occasionally resulting in fatalities.
Last November, Daily Trust reported a similar attack in which a woman was targeted while travelling to Gadabuke Market in Dazhi village, an area that borders Gadabuke in Kuje Area Council of the FCT and Zangabutu in Toto Local Government Area of neighbouring Nasarawa State.
In that incident, assailants allegedly stabbed the woman in the neck before fleeing with her mobile phone. Villagers later discovered her body and reported the incident to police at Gadabuke station, highlighting the geographic spread of such violent crimes beyond Abuja’s urban core.
The recurring nature of these incidents has raised questions about the adequacy of security measures along major transportation corridors in the FCT, particularly routes frequented by commuters who rely on commercial transport. Many residents have called for increased police patrols, better surveillance systems, and more rigorous screening of commercial transport operators.
Advocacy groups and civil society organizations have also urged authorities to establish dedicated response mechanisms for victims of “one chance” crimes, including emergency hotlines and rapid response units capable of intervening when incidents are reported in real time.
Women’s rights activists have expressed particular concern about the vulnerability of female commuters, calling for gender-sensitive security strategies that address the specific risks women face when using public transportation in the capital territory.
The death of Chinemerem Chuwumeziem earlier this month had already sparked widespread concern and grief, with healthcare workers and residents demanding justice and enhanced security measures. Her death underscored the dangers faced by professionals and ordinary citizens alike as they navigate daily routines in the nation’s capital.
The discovery of Princess Ochigbo’s body within such a short interval has intensified public anxiety and amplified calls for decisive action from law enforcement agencies and FCT administration officials.
The Kubwa area, where the latest victim was found, is a densely populated district that serves as a major residential and commercial hub within the FCT. The Kubwa Expressway is a critical arterial road connecting various parts of Abuja and is heavily trafficked by commuters throughout the day and evening.
Security experts have noted that the brazenness of these crimes reflects broader challenges in policing urban centres with large, mobile populations and inadequate surveillance infrastructure. They have recommended a combination of technology-driven solutions, community policing initiatives, and stiffer penalties for convicted offenders as potential deterrents.
As investigations into Princess Ochigbo’s death continue, attention has also turned to the need for inter-agency coordination between the FCT Police Command, the FCT Administration, and neighbouring state security agencies to tackle cross-border criminal networks that exploit jurisdictional gaps.
The police have urged members of the public with any information that could assist investigations to come forward, emphasizing that community cooperation remains critical to solving such cases and preventing future occurrences.
