The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, Miller Dantawaye, has cautioned residents especially women against accepting free rides from strangers, as part of efforts to curb rising criminal activities in Abuja.
Dantawaye gave the warning on Friday while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Bar Association, which included members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, the NBA Women Forum, and Unity Bar, during a courtesy and advocacy visit to the FCT Police Command headquarters.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the police boss urged residents to remain security-conscious, particularly when boarding commercial vehicles. He advised members of the public, especially women, to be vigilant about the vehicles they use and to avoid unsolicited lifts from unknown persons.
According to the statement, the commissioner stressed the need for collective responsibility, timely sharing of security information, and active public cooperation to prevent and dismantle “one-chance” criminal operations across the territory.
“He called on residents of the FCT to remain alert at all times, especially when boarding public transport. Members of the public, particularly ladies, were advised to be cautious of the vehicles they board and to refrain from accepting free rides from strangers,” the statement read in part.
During the meeting, Dantawaye commiserated with the visiting lawyers over the killing of their colleague, Ms Princess Ochigbo. He assured them that the command had launched discreet and comprehensive investigations into the incident, adding that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible.
The police commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Ochigbo’s body was discovered along the Kubwa Expressway on Tuesday. Her handbag, containing her identity card and other personal belongings, was found a few metres away from the body. Documents recovered suggested she may have been a staff member of the FCT High Court.
In a brief update on Wednesday, the FCT Police Command confirmed that detectives had commenced investigations into the case.
The incident occurred shortly after the killing of a nurse at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, identified as Chinemerem Chuwumeziem. Her death sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, FCT Council.
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