The Chigbo family has confirmed the tragic death of Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo, an Abuja-based legal practitioner who was abducted and later killed by unidentified kidnappers in the Federal Capital Territory.
Nwamaka, who was taken on Monday, January 5, 2026, was the elder sister of Dr. Maureen Chigbo, Editor and Publisher of Nigeria’s pioneering online platform, Realnews Magazine.
A statement issued by the family, described the circumstances surrounding her abduction as harrowing.
According to the account, Nwamaka was on a phone call with her sister, Anthonia, when the latter briefly excused herself to attend to a client.
When Anthonia returned to the call, the line was still open, but she could hear her sister screaming in distress before the phone abruptly went silent and became unreachable.
The family said Anthonia immediately alerted Dr. Maureen Chigbo and other relatives, who repeatedly tried to reach Nwamaka or her captors without success.
When one call eventually connected, a male voice responded with verbal abuse in both English and Hausa, demanding a ransom of N3 million and threatening to kill her if the money was not sent.
The statement noted that the kidnappers provided no further information and cut off subsequent calls.
The family promptly reported the incident to the police, who assured them that security operatives were tracking the suspects and expressed optimism that the victim could be released once ransom negotiations were concluded.
However, the family said the abductors never initiated contact.
On occasions when relatives managed to reach the line for clarification on ransom payment, they reportedly heard Nwamaka crying out in agony, pleading for help and urging them to send the money, before the phone went dead for the final time.
While frantic efforts were ongoing to secure her release, the family was informed on Tuesday, January 6, that an unidentified woman in critical condition had been rescued and taken to a specialist hospital in Abuja.
Dr. Maureen Chigbo immediately travelled from Lagos to Abuja, only to discover her sister’s lifeless body in the hospital mortuary.
The family described visible signs of severe torture, including bruises, swollen eyes and a fractured skull.
The Chigbo family has since met with police authorities, who have assured them that investigations are ongoing and that those responsible will be brought to justice.
Until her death, Nwamaka Chigbo was a respected member of the legal profession.
She previously served as Treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Abuja Branch, and was a member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, as well as the Global Association of Female Lawyers, GAFA.
She also served as President of the Catholic Lawyers Association, Abuja Branch.
A devout Catholic, she authored a book on the Infant Jesus and was Vice President of the Infant Jesus Association.
She was also an active member of the Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Group.
The family expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Police Force for its cooperation so far and called for diligent prosecution of the case.
They also thanked Nwamaka’s friends, colleagues and well-wishers for their prayers and support, adding that details of her funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course.
