The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Miller Dantawaye, has cautioned residents of Abuja, especially women, against accepting free rides from strangers, following recent killings linked to suspected “one-chance” criminal gangs.
Dantawaye issued the warning on Friday, January 9, 2025, during a courtesy and advocacy visit by a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to the FCT Police Command headquarters. The delegation included members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the NBA Women Forum and Unity Bar.
The police chief’s warning comes in the wake of the deaths of Princess Nwamaka Ochigbo, a legal practitioner, and Chinemerem Chuwumeziemwere, a nurse with the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, who were allegedly killed by one-chance operators in Abuja.
In a statement issued by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, Dantawaye urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly when using commercial vehicles.
“The Commissioner of Police called on residents of the FCT to remain security-conscious and vigilant, particularly when boarding commercial vehicles,” Adeh said.
“He advised members of the public, especially ladies, to be cautious of the vehicles they board and to refrain from accepting free rides from strangers,” the statement added.
Dantawaye also stressed the need for public cooperation in tackling criminal activities across the capital, noting that intelligence sharing plays a critical role in dismantling criminal networks.
“He emphasised the importance of collective responsibility, timely information sharing and public cooperation in preventing and dismantling one-chance criminal operations across the Territory,” Adeh said.
While commiserating with members of the legal profession over the killing of their colleague, Princess Ochigbo, the police commissioner assured the delegation that investigations into the incident were already underway.
“The Commissioner of Police commiserated with the delegation over the painful loss and assured them that the Command has commenced extensive and discreet investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Adeh stated.
She added that the command was committed to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.
