The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has raised concern over the continued activities of ‘one-chance’ armed robbers in the Federal Capital Territory following the killing of a nurse and another woman in separate incidents.
‘One-chance’ robbery is a criminal tactic in which offenders disguise themselves as commercial drivers or passengers to deceive victims into boarding vehicles, where they are robbed, attacked or killed, often after being taken to secluded areas.
According to the group, the recent deaths underscored what it described as a lack of effective preventive security measures and competent leadership in the nation’s capital, warning that failure to act decisively could result in further loss of lives.
In a statement issued by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA recalled that two women were discovered dead at different locations within the FCT in incidents believed to be connected to the activities of notorious ‘one-chance’ gangs.
One of the victims was identified as Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem, a nurse with the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, whose death had already drawn condemnation from the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, FCT Council.
The second victim, identified as Princess Ochigbo, was reportedly found lifeless by the roadside, with circumstances suggesting she may also have been attacked by ‘one-chance’ criminals.
Reacting to the incidents, HURIWA expressed concern that residents of the crime-prone capital were increasingly exposed to danger, accusing political leaders of failing to effectively tackle armed criminality in the FCT.
The association further alleged that the FCT administration had demonstrated a “clear absence” of preventive security strategies to address the recurring killings linked to ‘one-chance’ gangs and other armed non-state actors.
HURIWA called on the Federal Government to appoint what it described as a more focused, committed and non-partisan technocrat to handle security and governance issues in the FCT, stressing that the protection and welfare of residents must be treated as a priority.
The group also urged the President to consider issuing legal permits for citizens to bear arms for self-defence, citing what it described as the growing level of violence in the capital.
