A young woman identified as Grace Godwin was found dead early Saturday morning in Abuja, in what police believe is a tragic case of abduction and possible murder involving a ?one chance? criminal syndicate.

The 23-year-old lady, who worked as a fuel attendant at the Mobil Filling Station in Mabushi, was discovered unconscious by the roadside near Iya Abubakar Street in the Jabi area about 6.00 a.m., police sources confirmed.

She was immediately rushed to the National Hospital by officers from the Jabi Police Division, but was pronounced dead on arrival. Her body has since been deposited at the hospital?s mortuary awaiting autopsy, while her grieving family, had identified her.

According to preliminary investigations, the deceased boarded a commercial vehicle around 8:53 p.m. on Friday night from Mabushi.

The police suspect the vehicle was operated by a ?one chance? gang.

Pone chance is a term used in Nigeria to describe robbers who pose as legitimate taxi or bus operators but prey on unsuspecting passengers.

Tragically, the suspects reportedly contacted her family just before about 11\.56 p.m. to demand a ransom.

It is unclear at what point she died, but the case is being treated as a likely kidnap-for-ransom incident gone wrong.

A police officer, on condition of anonymity, according to Zagazola Makama, a counter-terrorism expert, said investigations had commenced and efforts underway to identify and arrest those behind the heinous act.

The expert noted that the incident, once again, highlighted the growing menace of ?one chance? attacks in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Over the past year, there has been a disturbing increase in such cases, with many victims being robbed, assaulted or abducted, often with tragic outcomes.

Residents and civil society groups have repeatedly called on authorities to ramp up surveillance, regulate commercial transport operators more stringently, and improve policing around hot spots. (The Guardian)

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