Ghanaian Commission Official Dies After ‘One Chance’ Robbery In Abuja
•By Admin
ABUJA – A Ghanaian woman identified as Miss Freda Arnong has died from injuries sustained during a brutal encounter with suspected “one chance” robbers in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital.
Arnong, who had lived and worked in Abuja for several years, reportedly boarded a commercial vehicle on the evening of July 1 after attending a fellowship near the Central Bank of Nigeria Institute in Maitama. She was heading home to Pope John Paul Street near Transcorp Hilton Hotel when she unknowingly entered a vehicle operated by a gang of robbers posing as public transport operators.
According to her brother, the suspects blindfolded Freda shortly after she entered the car and began demanding access to her phone and banking apps. When she could not meet their demands, they subjected her to physical assault and threatened to dismember her and sell her body parts.
“She pleaded with them and even asked to call her employer to send ₦10 million, but they refused and intensified the beatings,” her brother recounted.
She was later thrown out of the moving vehicle around 11 p.m. near the Moshood Abiola Stadium. A local vigilante group rescued her and took her to the National Hospital, Abuja, where doctors confirmed she had sustained multiple injuries including broken ribs, internal bleeding, kidney damage, lung lacerations, and trauma to her heart and eyes.
Despite efforts to save her, she passed away at about 3 a.m. on July 7.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) calling for immediate government action to curb the recurring menace of “one chance” robbery in the capital.
HURIWA described Freda as “God-fearing and generous,” noting that she had been a long-time supporter of their advocacy work.
The group urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and security agencies to deploy functional CCTV systems, create pre-boarding identity verification systems for commercial drivers, and strengthen emergency response units.
“This is one death too many,” HURIWA said. “If Abuja had the right infrastructure in place like CCTV cameras, response squads, and a simple driver verification system, Freda would still be alive.”
The FCT Police Command is yet to comment on the unfortunate incident.
•INDEPENDENTNG.