IGHO OYOYO reports how on-transit robbers launch mayhem on Abuja residents
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are living in palpable fear as the notorious “One Chance” criminal gangs continue their reign of terror, abducting, robbing and killing innocent citizens, particularly young women, with alarming frequency.
These criminals operate with chilling precision; they pose as legitimate taxi or bus operators, pick up unsuspecting passengers, then rob, assault and in some cases, murder them.
The recent killings of a 23-year-old petrol station attendant, Grace Godwin and a Ghanaian national, Freda Arnong, have sent shockwaves through Abuja, leaving residents terrified and demanding urgent action from security agencies and the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.
These gruesome incidents have sparked outrage among residents, who are now calling on security agencies and the government to take decisive action before more lives are lost.
“One Chance” criminals operate by disguising themselves as commercial drivers, luring unsuspecting passengers into their vehicles before robbing or killing them.
In recent months, the FCT has recorded a disturbing surge in such cases, with women being the primary targets.
Grace Godwin’s tragic death is one of the latest in this string of attacks. The young fuel attendant was abducted on Friday night, July 11, after boarding a vehicle in Mabushi.
Her family received a call for ransom hours later, but by Saturday morning, July 12, her lifeless body was dumped near Iya Abubakar Street in Jabi district.
Similarly, the Ghanaian resident, Arnong, met a horrific end after boarding a taxi near Transcorp Hilton on July 1.
After boarding a taxi near Transcorp Hilton, she was blindfolded, beaten and tortured for hours before being abandoned near Moshood Abiola Stadium.
Her brother, Arnold Arnong, narrated how she was beaten, tortured and left for dead near the stadium. Though she was rushed to the National Hospital, she succumbed to her injuries days later.
These cases are not isolated. Daily reports of “One Chance” robberies and killings have left residents questioning their safety in a city meant to symbolise Nigeria’s security and governance.
The fear among Abuja residents is palpable. Many now avoid boarding taxis, especially at night, while others have resorted to using ride-hailing apps in hopes of staying safe.
A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Dutse Alhaji, Vivian Okechukwu, shared her ordeal with LEADERSHIP Weekend.
“I narrowly escaped ‘One Chance’ last month. The driver kept changing routes, and when I protested, the other passengers threatened me. I jumped out at a traffic light. Since then, I don’t enter any taxi unless it’s from a trusted driver.
“How many more people must die before something is done? These criminals operate freely, yet security agencies seem helpless. The FCT minister must wake up to the responsibility of fighting this monsters that have invaded the FCT and targeting ladies and women,” she said.
For Hajia Binta Yusuf, a mother of three in Kubwa, the fear is personal, “My daughter takes taxis to school. Every day, I pray she returns safely. The government must protect us. If they can’t, then what is the purpose of leadership?”
Despite repeated assurances from the police, the “One Chance” menace persists. The FCT Police Command has often announced arrests, yet the attacks continue unabated.
Many residents believe the criminals operate with insider knowledge or even collusion from corrupt officials.
Arnold Arnong, Freda Arnong’s grieving brother, echoed this sentiment in his viral Facebook post, demanding real-time driver authentication and stricter enforcement.
“Nigeria’s decaying public transportation systems and lack of adequate security make it easier for these crimes to thrive. With no proper regulation of commercial vehicles, no central tracking systems, and no government-provided safe alternatives, the average Nigerian is left to gamble with their life each time they try to go to work, school or church.
“This systemic failure is not just negligence, it is complicity. It creates the conditions that allow this ‘marriage’ to occur over and over again. Every citizen that enters a bus stop or hails a cab is a potential bride or groom in this fatal union. And every moment of delay in reform is a tacit agreement to let this horror continue.
“Many victims of “One Chance” crimes suffer in silence. Some are too ashamed or traumatised to speak. Others feel that reporting the incident is pointless, as justice is rarely served. The fear and pain of these encounters last long after the ride is over, sometimes becoming permanent scars, physically, emotionally and economically,” he said.
As the menace lingers, pressure is mounting on the FCT minister and security chiefs to act fast. Residents demand more police and military checkpoints, especially in high-risk areas.
A security expert, Ibrahim Musa, blamed the surge in “one chance” on poor regulation of commercial transport.
“Many of these vehicles are unregistered, and drivers operate without proper identification. There should be a centralised system where passengers can verify drivers before boarding.
“The minister should ensure strict regulation of commercial vehicles, by setting up taskforce teams that would ensure mandatory digital identification for drivers and vehicles.
“There should also be public awareness campaigns, by educating citizens on how to identify and avoid “One Chance” operators, and swift prosecution of arrested criminals, to serve as a deterrent to aspiring criminals,” he said.
He urged the minister to prioritise their safety before more lives are lost, saying that the beauty and modernisation of the FCT cannot be complete without the safety on residents of the territory.
A resident of Garki village, Ephraim Udoh, lamented that Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power that used to be one of the safest cities in Nigeria is fast becoming a city of fear.
“The ‘One Chance’ epidemic is not just a security issue, it is a humanitarian crisis. If decisive action is not taken soon, more innocent lives will be lost, and the already eroding public trust in the government will crumble completely.
“If Wike can demolish illegal structures to create proper development of the city, he can also dismantle these criminal networks and ensure the safety of residents of the city. We need action, not just words,” he said.
As Arnold Arnong sadly asked, “How long must we lose innocent lives to ‘One Chance’ gangs? When will public transportation be safe?”
The time for answers is now. The FCT minister and security agencies must act, before another family is forced to mourn a loved one whose only crime was boarding the wrong vehicles.
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