- Groups Announce Funeral Programmes For Abuja
THE FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced a significant breakthrough in its fight against violent crime with the arrest of three members of a notorious “one-chance” armed robbery syndicate linked to the murder of legal practitioner, Barrister Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo.
According to a press statement signed by SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command, the arrests were made between January 5th and 10th, 2026, following direct orders from the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, PSC, to swiftly apprehend all perpetrators connected to the heinous crime.
The statement also revealed that operatives from the Command’s Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, utilised reconstructive digital intelligence to track the victim’s mobile phone, leading to targeted operations in the Dei-Dei, Dakwa, and Dan-Tata communities within the Kubwa area.
The police identified the apprehended suspects to include Saifullahi Yusuf (22) and Ishau Yusuf (24) – biological brothers both residing in Dan-Tata Community – and Minka’ilu Jibril, also known as Dan-Hajia. All three are from Kaduna State.
Preliminary investigations reveal the group is part of a long-standing syndicate specialising in “one-chance” robberies, a criminal practice where unsuspecting passengers board vehicles occupied by thieves. The syndicate is known to be particularly active during festive periods.
Police investigations reveal that on January 5th, 2026, at approximately 5:50 p.m., the late Barrister Chigbo unknowingly entered the suspects’ black Volkswagen Golf 3 with tinted windows along the Kubwa Expressway.
Upon entry, the windows were wound up and she was threatened with weapons. The suspects demanded a ransom for her release. Following her alleged refusal to cooperate, she was physically assaulted and forcibly pushed from the moving vehicle on the expressway, sustaining fatal injuries.
The suspects, the statement said, confessed to subsequently stealing the victim’s Android phone, which was sold at Dei-Dei for ₦120,000. The proceeds were distributed among the three arrested individuals and a fourth accomplice, identified as Musa, who remains at large.
During the arrests, a cache of potential criminal tools was recovered, including five scissors, two sharp dagger knives, two additional knives, a long chain believed to be used for restraining victims, and a pair of pliers.
The Commissioner of Police commended the professionalism of the operatives involved and reiterated the Command’s commitment to purging the FCT of criminal elements.
He urged residents to maintain vigilance, avoid boarding unregistered or suspicious vehicles, and report any concerning activities via the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913 and 07057337653.
Intensive efforts to apprehend the remaining suspect and dismantle any linked criminal networks are ongoing.
Groups Announce Funeral Programmes
Meanwhile the many groups have unveiled a series of funeral activities in honour of the late Barrister Princess Nwamaka in Abuja before her body is transported to her home state of Anambra for burial.
The programmes, rolled out by the Blessed Iwene Tansi Catholic Community of St. Mary John Vianney (SJMV) Church, Lugbe, and the Global Association of Female Attorneys (GAFA), aim to celebrate Princess Nwamaka’s life and seek repose for her soul following a tragedy that has sent shockwaves through the capital’s professional and religious circles.
The tribute will commence with a three-day prayer and hymn session at the SJMV Catholic Church, Lugbe, beginning Monday, January 12, at 5:30 PM. The Sacred Heart Society will lead the first evening, culminating in a Mass. On Tuesday, the Iwene Tansi Community will guide the prayers, also ending with an evening Mass.
A Requiem Mass for the repose of Barrister Chigbo’s soul will be held at the same church on Wednesday, January 14, starting at 6:00 PM, to conclude the dedicated prayer sessions.
The spiritual observances will extend to Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Procathedral, Area 3, on Thursday, January 15, with another Requiem Mass at 6:00 PM.
All church societies to which she belonged – including the Infant Jesus, Mother of Perpetual Help, Legion of Mary, and Divine Mercy – are expected to attend in a unified show of faith and grief.
In a separate professional tribute, the Global Association of Female Attorneys will host a “Night of Tribute” on Friday, January 16, at Delight Garden and Park, Apo Zone E, Abuja, beginning at 4:00 PM.
Chinelo Virginia Iriele, President of GAFA, described the event as “a moment of reflection, remembrance, and mutual support as we celebrate a life well lived and bid her a peaceful farewell.” She added, “Though words may never fully capture the depth of our sorrow, your presence will mean a great deal to us as we come together to honour her enduring impact and beautiful legacy.” Attendees are requested to observe a black dress code.
Barrister Chigbo’s death was confirmed by her family in a detailed statement earlier this week. She was abducted while on a phone call with her sister, Anthonia.
During the call, Anthonia briefly attended to a client and returned to hear Nwamaka’s distress cries before the line went dead.
Subsequent calls to her number were answered by a male voice who demanded a three-million-naira ransom, threatening to kill her.
The family immediately alerted the police, who launched an investigation. In further harrowing communication, family members heard the deceased screaming, “I am dying… save me, please send the money, I am dying,” before the phone permanently disconnected.
The following day, the family was informed that a woman had been found in critical condition and taken to a hospital. Her elder sister, Dr. Maureen Chigbo, Editor/Publisher of Realnews Magazine, flew from Lagos to Abuja only to identify Nwamaka’s body in the mortuary, bearing bruises, swollen eyes, and a cracked skull.
The late Barrister Chigbo was a former Treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch, a member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and a dedicated member of GAFA.
She also served as President of the Catholic Lawyers Association, Abuja Branch. A deeply devout Catholic, she authored a book on the Infant Jesus and was Vice President of the Infant Jesus Association.
The Chigbo family has expressed gratitude to the police for their ongoing efforts and has urged that justice be served. They have also thanked friends, colleagues, and well-wishers for their support, noting that further funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
