Police probe killing of Abuja Lawyer allegedly tortured to death by kidnappers
The Nigeria Police have launched an investigation into the abduction and killing of an Abuja-based lawyer, Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo, who was allegedly tortured to death by unidentified kidnappers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The incident was confirmed in a statement by her elder sister, Maureen Chigbo, immediate past President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), who spoke on behalf of the family. According to the statement, the abduction occurred on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Maureen Chigbo said the late lawyer was on a phone call with another sister, Anthonia, shortly before she was taken. Anthonia reportedly placed the call on hold briefly to attend to a client, but when she returned, the phone line was still open and she heard her sister screaming in distress before the call abruptly went silent.
Family members repeatedly tried to reach the lawyer or her abductors without success. When a call eventually connected, a male voice allegedly hurled insults in English and Hausa and demanded a ransom of N3 million, threatening to kill her if the money was not paid. Subsequent calls were abruptly terminated, with no further details provided by the kidnappers.
The family alerted the police, contacting the Force Public Relations Officer and later the Inspector General of Police, as well as the FCT Commissioner of Police. They were subsequently linked to the Commander of the Scorpion Squad, the unit responsible for kidnapping cases in Abuja.
According to the family, the police informed them that the suspects were being tracked and suggested the victim might be released once ransom was collected. However, the kidnappers reportedly did not initiate further contact. When family members tried to reach them through the lawyer’s phone to clarify ransom payment, they only heard her screaming in pain, pleading for help and saying she was dying, before the phone went dead permanently.
The family maintained contact with the police throughout the night. At about 4 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, the Scorpion Squad Commander expressed surprise that the lawyer had not returned home and said efforts would be intensified. Hours later, the family was informed that a critically injured woman had been found and taken to a specialist hospital in Abuja, and a photograph was requested for identification.
Maureen Chigbo said she immediately travelled from Lagos to Abuja, where she identified her sister’s body in the mortuary. She described visible signs of severe torture, including bruises, swollen eyes and a cracked skull.
The police have assured the family that investigations are ongoing and that those responsible will be brought to justice.
Princess Nwamaka Chigbo was an active member and former treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja branch. She was also a member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the Global Association of Female Lawyers (GAFA), and a former President of the Catholic Lawyers Association, Abuja.
An ardent Catholic, she authored a book on the Infant Jesus and served as Vice President of the Infant Jesus Association, alongside membership of several other religious groups.
The family expressed appreciation to the police for their efforts so far and thanked friends, colleagues and well-wishers for their support and prayers, adding that funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
