The family of Nwamaka Chigbo, an Abuja-based lawyer, has recounted the harrowing final moments leading to her death.
Chigbo’s body was discovered a few days ago on a kerb along the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja. A post on X revealed that her body was found at a different location from her belongings, with documents identifying her as a staff member of the FCT High Court. Her bag was reportedly recovered a few metres away, a pattern the post described as consistent with so-called “one-chance” criminal attacks.
In a statement issued by Maureen Chigbo, publisher of Realnews Magazine, the family said they were devastated by the incident.
“The family of Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo, an Abuja-based lawyer, is saddened to announce her brutal death at the hands of yet-to-be-identified kidnappers in the Federal Capital Territory on Monday, January 5, 2026,” the statement said.
According to the family, Nwamaka was on a phone call with her sister, Anthonia, shortly before her abduction. Anthonia reportedly paused the conversation briefly to attend to a client. When she returned to the call, the line was still connected, and she heard her sister cry out in distress before the phone went silent.
Alarmed, Anthonia contacted Maureen Chigbo and other family members. Several attempts to reach Nwamaka proved unsuccessful. When the call eventually went through, a male voice allegedly demanded a ransom of N3 million.
“Thunder fire you there. Send three million naira or else we will kill her,” the caller reportedly said.
The family said they immediately contacted the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Police Command and were given a complaint number. Distress messages were also sent to the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, who linked the family to the commander of the Scorpion Squad.
According to the statement, the squad commander later informed the family that the kidnappers were being tracked and were “in motion.” However, the kidnappers did not initiate further contact. When family members tried calling Nwamaka’s phone, they only heard her screaming in pain.
“I am dying… save me, please send the money, I am dying,” she was quoted as saying.
The family said they remained in constant contact with the police throughout the night. At about 4 a.m. on Tuesday, the commander reportedly expressed surprise that Nwamaka had not returned home and promised to escalate the rescue efforts.
Later, the family was informed that a woman in critical condition had been taken to an Abuja specialist hospital, and Nwamaka’s photograph was requested for identification. Maureen Chigbo said she travelled from Lagos to Abuja, where she eventually identified her sister’s body at the mortuary.
The family said police authorities have assured them that investigations are ongoing and that those responsible will be brought to justice.
Nwamaka Chigbo was a former treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja branch, and a member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).