Fear spreads in Abuja as one-chance syndicates spread terror

Apprehension is high in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja following renewed activities of criminals operating under ‘one-chance’ syndicates.

DAILY POST reports that incidents of ‘one-chance’ abductions are on the rise in the nation’s capital city, connoting a security threat that has remained elusive.

In May, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had raised an alarm over the complex nature of security challenges facing Abuja and called for a coordinated national approach to address it effectively.

At the budget defence for the FCT’s N1.78 trillion estimates, the minister said the FCT’s unique status as the host of the Presidency, National Assembly, and foreign diplomatic missions makes it impossible to run it as an autonomous entity like other states.

“You cannot talk about autonomy in a city where the President resides, where the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and every corporate head of the country operate from. The security of this city is not something we can handle alone,” Wike said at the time.

DAILY POST gathered that victims who report the crimes to authorities are only left to juggle between their traumatic experiences and a flawed system that demands more from them than what the criminals took.

Over the past week, three ladies have been confirmed dead in different parts of the city, allegedly all victims of “One Chance.”

DAILY POST reports that a petrol attendant, Grace Godwin, was on Saturday, July 12, found dead at the Jabi area of the capital city at about 7:21am ostensibly pushed from a “One Chance” car.

According to Zagazola Makama, a security expert, the 23-year-old woman’s death was a case of abduction and possible murder.

Makama disclosed that detectives from the Jabi Police Division who responded to the victim being found at the Jabi area rushed her to the National Hospital where she was confirmed dead by doctors on duty.

Prior the incident, residents have expressed anger over the death of a Ghanaian official after an encounter with ‘one chance’ robbers in Abuja

DAILY POST gathered that Miss Freda Arnong, a staff member of the Ghanaian High Commission in Nigeria, died at the National Hospital, Abuja after she had boarded a vehicle allegedly operated by robbers.

According to her brother, Ms Freda boarded a commercial taxi cab at Transcorp Junction penultimate week, and rather than head towards her direction, diverted towards the Lugbe-Airport Road, where she was brutalised before being pushed out of the moving vehicle.

The deceased was later rescued and taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

As residents were coming to terms with Ms. Freda’s death, the National Hospital Abuja issued a public appeal for help in identifying a female patient currently receiving care in its Trauma Intensive Care Unit, ICU.

According to a statement issued by the hospital on Friday, July 11, 2025, the woman was found unconscious along Kubwa–Deidei Road.

The hospital urged anyone who recognizes her or has any useful information about her family to come forward immediately.

“A woman was found unconscious along Kubwa–Deidei Road around 10:30 PM on July 8th, 2025, and was rushed to the Trauma Centre at National Hospital, Abuja. She is currently receiving treatment, but her identity remains unknown. Location: Trauma Centre, National Hospital, Abuja.

“If you recognize her or have any information, please come forward immediately. Share widely to help reunite her with her loved ones. Thank you,” the statement said.

A female member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, serving at the National Assembly, identified as Miss Ruth Isaiku was also robbed and dumped by the roadside after boarding a ‘one chance’ taxi in Abuja.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that one good Nigerian from Army Housing Estate, Kurudu, found the victim near Habiba Plaza, Maitama and alerted the police.

Miss Isaiku, who boarded a taxi from the Kubwa axis heading to Keffi, Nasarawa State, was reportedly attacked during the journey and robbed of an undisclosed sum of money before being thrown out by the criminals.

She was immediately rushed to Maitama District Hospital, where she received treatment and is in stable condition.

Security agencies have, however, urged residents to remain cautious when boarding taxis and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

Speaking to DAILY POST, many FCT residents have voiced their worry over their safety in Nigeria’s capital city.

A teacher, Mike Divine, said those dastardly ‘one-chance’ criminals seem to be targeting women in recent times, stressing that the unfortunate development calls for urgent drastic action.

“For quite a long time now, this ugly trend has continued unabated even with the presence of security operatives. At times I begin to ask, “What are these security operatives littered everywhere in the FCT doing,” he asked.

On his part, Ogbonna Joel, recalled how his cousin was a victim of ‘one chance,’ wondering how the relatives of the victim would feel at the missing of their loved one.

“I’m quite touched by the death of this promising young girl. Oh my God.

“Images like this bring back the painful memories of my dear cousin, who was brutally killed by one-chance criminals in March last year. Just like us, her family will be searching for her,” he said

In the same way, Emeka Chukwudi, decried what he described as a normal thing in the nation’s capital, saying Abuja residents, especially women, are not safe.

“This is terrible and sad. Have the police even acknowledged these rampant assaults on women in Abuja?

“Has mainstream media been reporting these, sir? Women are not safe,” he posited.

Also speaking on the incessant incidents, Peter Echo said, “This is so very painful. The police and DSS should collaborate on smashing these killer once-chance gangs.

“The House of Representatives should also pass a law placing a life-sentence on anyone convicted for the crime of ‘one-chance’.

“One Reps member even lost an aide to these people recently. This should galvanize the House to take drastic action on this evil crime.”

When DAILY POST contacted the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, she said she was tired of being asked the same question repeatedly.

“I am tired of answering questions on this ‘one-chance’ incident.

“We are looking for solutions. If you have any, bring it forth, so we can solve this problem,” she said.

Fear spreads in Abuja as one-chance syndicates spread terror