The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, Miller Dantawaye, has cautioned residents—especially women—against accepting free rides from strangers, as part of measures to tackle criminal activities in Abuja.
Dantawaye issued the warning on Friday during a courtesy and advocacy visit by a delegation from the Nigerian Bar Association, including representatives from the International Federation of Women Lawyers, NBA Women Forum, and Unity Bar, to the FCT Police Command headquarters.
According to a statement by the FCT command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the CP urged residents to stay security-conscious, particularly when boarding commercial vehicles. He advised women to be mindful of the vehicles they use and avoid taking unsolicited lifts from unknown individuals.
“The CP further called on residents of the FCT to remain security-conscious and vigilant, particularly when boarding commercial vehicles. He advised members of the public, especially ladies, to be cautious of the vehicles they board and to refrain from accepting free rides from strangers. He emphasised the importance of collective responsibility, timely information sharing, and public cooperation in preventing and dismantling ‘one-chance’ criminal operations across the Territory,” the statement partly read.
While expressing condolences over the killing of NBA staff member Ms Princess Ochigbo, Dantawaye assured the lawyers that the command had launched extensive and discreet investigations, with efforts ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
“The Commissioner of Police commiserated with the delegation over the painful loss and assured them that the Command has commenced extensive and discreet investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident, with a firm commitment to ensuring that the perpetrators are identified, apprehended, and brought to justice,” the statement added.
Reports had earlier reported that Ochigbo’s body was found on the Kubwa Expressway on Tuesday, with her bag—containing her ID card and other personal effects—recovered a short distance away. Documents suggested she may have worked at the FCT High Court. Detectives were reported to have begun investigation into her death.
The alert comes shortly after the killing of a nurse, Chinemerem Chuwumeziem, at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, which provoked outrage and condemnation from the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, FCT Council.
