The Nigerian legal community has been thrown into mourning following the tragic killing of Barrister Princess Mediatrix Nwamaka Chigbo, an Abuja-based lawyer who was abducted and later murdered in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Chigbo, a former treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch, was reported missing after she was kidnapped while travelling within Abuja on January 5, 2026. Days later, her body was discovered by the roadside along the Kubwa Expressway, confirming fears about her fate and intensifying public anger over rising insecurity in the nation’s capital.
Abduction and Ransom Demand
According to accounts from her family, Chigbo was on a phone call with her sister, Anthonia, when she was abducted. The call reportedly ended abruptly after distressing sounds were heard. Shortly after, her abductors contacted the family, demanding a ₦3 million ransom and threatening to kill her if their demands were not met.
Despite efforts made following the ransom demand, Chigbo was brutally murdered. Reports indicate that she may have been tortured before her death, deepening the sense of shock and grief surrounding the incident.
Discovery of her Body
Her lifeless body was later found along the Kubwa Expressway, a busy corridor in Abuja that has increasingly been associated with criminal activity.
The discovery reignited widespread concern about the safety of residents, commuters, and professionals living and working in the FCT.
Police Arrests and Investigation
The FCT Police Command has since announced the arrest of three suspects in connection with the killing. The suspects are believed to be members of a notorious “one-chance” robbery and kidnapping syndicate who pose as commercial drivers to lure unsuspecting victims before attacking them.
In a statement on Sunday, January 11, Josephine Adeh, FCT police spokesperson, said the suspects were identified as Saifullahi Yusuf, 22; Ishau Yusuf, 24; and Minka’ilu Jibril, also known as Dan-Hajia, noting that they are all from Kaduna State, adding that Saifullahi and Ishau are brothers.
Adeh said the arrests followed a directive by Miller Dantawaye, FCT commissioner of police, to ensure those responsible for the murder are brought to justice.
Adeh noted that the suspects were arrested between Friday and Saturday at the Dei-Dei, Dakwa, and Dan-Tata communities in the Kubwa area of Abuja, after operatives tracked the victim’s mobile phone using digital intelligence.
Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects are expected to be charged in court upon completion of the probe.
Outcry From Legal Bodies and Civil Society
Chigbo’s killing has drawn strong condemnation from the Nigerian Bar Association, women-led legal groups, and civil society organizations. Several associations, including female lawyer networks, have described her death as a painful reminder of the vulnerability of citizens, even in the country’s capital.
The Global Association of Female Attorneys (GAFA), of which Chigbo was a part, has called on relevant authorities to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the abduction and murder of one of its pioneer members, Mediatrix Nwamaka-Chigbo.
Chinelo Iriele, the association’s international president, made the call in a statement that described the deceased as a devoted, creative, and highly committed colleague, as well as a founding member of GAFA and its former international secretary.
The NBA has also called on security agencies and the FCT administration to urgently address the resurgence of “one-chance” crimes, warning that failure to act decisively could further erode public confidence in security structures.
Remembering Princess Mediatrix Nwamaka Chigbo
Beyond her professional achievements, Chigbo was widely described as compassionate, principled, and deeply committed to justice and service. She was actively involved in women-focused legal organizations and faith-based initiatives, mentoring younger lawyers and advocating for ethical legal practices.
Nwamaka was an active member and former treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association in Abuja, as well as a member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (IFWL), FIDA, and the Global Association of Female Lawyers (GAFA). She was a former president of the Catholic Lawyers Association, Abuja.
Her death has left a profound void in the legal community and among those whose lives she touched.