The family of Abuja-based lawyer, Princess Nwamaka Chigbo, has given an account of the circumstances surrounding her abduction and subsequent death in the Federal Capital Territory.
The deceased’s body was found a few days ago by the roadside along the Kubwa Expressway.
A post shared on X (formerly Twitter) indicated that her remains were discovered at a location different from where some of her belongings were found. Documents recovered at the scene suggested she was affiliated with the FCT High Court.
The social media post, which included her photograph and identification card, noted that her handbag was found a short distance from her body. The incident was described as resembling a “one-chance” attack — a form of crime in which victims are robbed, assaulted and pushed out of moving vehicles — carried out by kidnappers.
In a statement released by the Publisher of Realnews Magazine, Dr. Maureen Chigbo, the family expressed deep shock over the killing.
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“The family of Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo, an Abuja-based lawyer, is saddened to announce her brutal death at the hands of still-to-be-identified kidnappers in the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory on Monday, 5th January 2026.”
According to the statement, the lawyer was on a phone call with her sister, Anthonia, shortly before she was abducted.
“Before her abduction, Barrister Nwamaka was on the phone with her sister Anthonia, who briefly interrupted the call to attend to a client. When she reverted, the barrister’s phone was still live, and Anthonia could hear her sister’s distress cry before the phone suddenly went dead and unreachable.”
The family said efforts were immediately made to reach her after the call ended abruptly.
“Anthonia alerted her elder sister, Maureen Chigbo, and other family members, who called the lawyer’s number repeatedly to reach her or her abductors to no avail.”
The statement added that when contact was eventually made, the response was hostile and threatening.
“When a call finally went through, a male voice rained curses in English and Hausa language, saying: ‘Thunder fire you there, send three million Naira or else we will kill her.’ The captors gave no further details and abruptly terminated subsequent calls.”
The family said attempts were made to alert the police through official channels.
“Barrister Nwamaka’s family later tried to contact the Police Public Relations Officer (FCT Police Command) and left a text message on her phone. They were referred to two police complaint numbers.”
It further stated that senior police authorities were also contacted.
“The family equally sent a distress text and WhatsApp message to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and also contacted the FCT Police Commissioner, who immediately linked them up to the Commander of the Scorpion Squad, in charge of kidnapping in Abuja.”
According to the family, the police informed them that efforts were ongoing to track the kidnappers.
“The Commander later called to inform the family that the police were tracking the kidnappers, who were said to be ‘in motion and would likely drop the lawyer off once they might have collected the ransom.’”
The statement noted that the kidnappers did not initiate further communication. When family members attempted to clarify how the ransom would be paid, they reportedly heard the victim screaming.
“I am dying. …save me, please send the money, I am dying,” before the phone finally went dead again,” she was quoted to have said.
The family said they remained in constant communication with the police throughout the night.
“The family maintained contact with the Police Commander throughout Monday night to follow up on the rescue operation.”
By early Tuesday morning, the situation took a tragic turn.
“At 4am on Tuesday, 6th January, when Maureen called the Commander, he expressed surprise that the lawyer had not called or returned home. He then promised to escalate the rescue operation.”
Shortly after, the family was informed that a critically injured woman had been found.
“The Commander later called to inform the family that ‘a lady had been found in a critical condition’ and taken to an Abuja specialist hospital. He requested that Nwamaka’s picture be sent for identification purposes.”
Dr. Maureen Chigbo said she immediately travelled from Lagos to Abuja upon receiving the information.
“Maureen immediately took a flight from Lagos to Abuja and on reaching the hospital, saw her sister’s lifeless body in the mortuary with bruises, swollen eyes and a cracked skull, all signs of a tortured death.”
The family said they have since met with police authorities.
“The Chigbo family has met with the Police authorities, who assured them that the case was under investigation and that the culprits would be apprehended.”
Princess Nwamaka Chigbo was described as a dedicated legal practitioner and professional colleague.
“Nwamaka was an active member and former treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja, member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (IFWL).”
(DAILY TRUST)
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