Declare State Of Emergency On Security In Abuja, HURIWA Demands

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to declare a state of emergency on security in Abuja.

This it said, is to enable an address the worsening threat posed by criminal gangs in the FCT.

The group made the call in a statement on Monday, while reacting to the abduction torture and eventual killing of Miss Freda Arnong.

The Ghanaian-born human rights supporter and resident of Abuja, died in the hands of a notorious ‘one-chance’ robbery gang operating in FCT)..

Miss Arnong had boarded what appeared to be a regular taxi near the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on July 1, 2025, where she was abducted.

She was later dumped near the Moshood Abiola Stadium, after sustaining serious injuries including multiple broken ribs, lung lacerations, kidney damage, and internal bleeding, in the hands of abductors, and eventually died on July 7, despite medical efforts

Appealing to the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to declare a state of emergency on security in Abuja, HURIWA said:

READ ALSO: “We in HURIWA are devastated by the horrific death of Miss Freda Arnong, a God-fearing and generous soul who has been known to us since our inception 18 years ago.

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“Her killing is yet another painful reminder of the unchecked terror inflicted on residents of Abuja by ‘one-chance’ criminals.”

Quoting her brother Arnong Arnong said Freda was blindfolded and severely assaulted after the gang discovered she had no ATM card and limited access to digital banking, HURIWA added:

“Frustrated, they intensified their assault, threatened to mutilate her, and eventually dumped her around 11:00 pm,” he said.

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“Her only crime was living in a beautiful city plagued by a broken system. Justice for Freda Arnong. Justice for all victims. Never again.”

“It is far more urgent to secure lives than to build more flyovers,” the group stated, urging the FCT Minister to prioritise security infrastructure, including deployment of armed joint security and vigilante task forces to strategic hotspots; installation of CCTV surveillance, and formation of rapid-response teams to tackle the menace.

in addition to declaring a state of emergency, “Let the National Assembly make one-chance robbery leading to death punishable by firing squad, and other forms punishable by multiple life sentences. Abuja is under siege. We need emergency security intervention,” HURIWA asserted.

“The media must not remain silent. Nigerians must be educated on how to avoid falling victim. Lives are being lost and we must act decisively.”

“Freda Arnong must not die in vain. The system must not fail again. The killers must be brought to justice — swiftly and decisively.”