The recent revelations by the Nigeria Police Force concerning the tragic death of a female lawyer, Chigbo Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix, should shock the conscience of every resident of the Federal Capital Territory. According to police investigations, she was killed by a three-man “one-chance” gang operating a Volkswagen Golf that posed as a taxi for what should have been a routine 25-minute trip from Abuja city centre to Kubwa.
The suspects reportedly confessed that once she entered the vehicle, the tinted windows were wound up, threats were issued, and demands for ransom followed. When she could not comply, she was beaten and forced out of the fast-moving vehicle, leading to her death. The attackers later sold her phone for ₦120,000, and the proceeds were shared among themselves. This was not a crime of passion, but a cold-blooded act, a familiar pattern that Abuja residents have warned about for many years without any concrete attempt to solve.
I, however, commend the FCT Police Command, under the leadership of Miller Dantawaye, for the swift investigation and arrest of the alleged culprits. Effective policing after the fact is essential. But prevention, which is better than a cure, lies elsewhere, and that is where the Federal Capital Administration (FCTA) has failed.
The methods of one-chance kidnappers are neither new nor sophisticated. Unmarked, unpainted vehicles, often inexpensive models like the Volkswagen Golf, usually operate freely as taxis across Abuja. They carry licence plates, indeed, but there is little else that distinguishes them from private cars. The responses of the FCTA have remained shallow with repeated warnings telling residents not to board “unregistered taxis,” as if the public can magically identify registration status in a split second on a busy road.
Visit almost any motor park or roadside taxi point in Abuja today, from Gwagwalada Park in Area 1 to Kubwa or Apo, and you will see the truth that most taxis bear no official colour, insignia, or visible approval from FCTA transport authorities. This regulatory vacuum is not accidental, but it is the product of neglect and sheer malevolence.
Am I wrong to say that I miss Nasir El-Rufai as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory? During his tenure, Abuja had a coherent transport policy. Green-coloured taxis were standardised and enforced. Designated bus stops were respected. Even London-style taxis were introduced for intra-city travel. Notably, reported cases of one-chance kidnappings were rare.
Today, with the reckless deregulation or outright unregulation, especially on long routes to places like Mararaba, Kubwa, Mpape, Apo, and Jikwoyi, one-chance Kidnappings and robberies have become an epidemic. Statements of concern from authorities, without structural action, amount to little more than public relations and disregard for the well-being of the poor and struggling masses.
Therefore, let us stop pretending that this problem of one-chance Kidnappings and robberies requires rocket science thinking. Consequently, I recommend that transport unions, vehicle owners, and FCT regulators adopt a QR-based taxi identification system immediately, without incurring any consultation fees.
Every authorised taxi should display a bold QR code at multiple points on the car, from the rear hatch, both front doors, and behind the front seats. Before boarding, whether during the day or night, a passenger scans the code using a free app to verify the vehicle’s registration, the driver’s identity, and route approval. Trip details can be optionally shared with family or friends in real time. The central database should be accessible to the police and relevant regulators.
Such a system can be designed and deployed within 72 hours by a competent IT firm at a minimal cost per vehicle, instantly distinguishing between legitimate operators and criminals and restoring public confidence.
One-chance kidnappings and robberies have grown into a behemoth not because they are complex, but because those entrusted with the safety of one of the most badly managed public transportation systems in any country’s capital have refused to think and act decisively. Abuja residents deserve better than warnings after deaths occur. They deserve a transportation system that prioritises life, accountability, and order.
If we truly value human life in the Federal Capital Territory, the time for excuses has long passed on the issue of one-chance Kidnappings and robberies. And should the FCTA authorities continue to dillydally on the issue by beingbogged down by the bureaucracy of issuance of contracts to solve the problem, Abuja residents and commuters who frequent the above-listed routes should only use Coaster buses and avoid taking so-called taxis, which are usually Volkswagen Golf models and small Toyota vehicles that are often deployed by one-chance syndicates.
Frank Tietie
Lawyer and Executive Director
Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER)
