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A young woman who narrowly survived multiple “one chance” abductions in Abuja has shared her harrowing experience, urging residents to exercise greater caution when boarding commercial taxis in the capital city.
Speaking in an interview with journalist Lucky Udu on Monday, September 22 2025, the victim, identified only as Patience, revealed she had been kidnapped three times between 2018 and recent years while commuting in Abuja.
Her second abduction, which she described as the most terrifying, occurred after she attempted to board a taxi at Dutse Junction late in the evening. She recalled standing with a man who also appeared to be waiting for a ride. When a car stopped, the stranger approached first and confirmed with the driver that the vehicle was headed towards AYA.
According to her, what followed was a red flag she ignored due to desperation. “When I was about to enter the car with the guy, the guy came down and I asked him if he was going again. He didn’t say anything to me,” she said. Believing she could not wait any longer after standing by the roadside for over thirty minutes, she entered the vehicle alone.
That decision nearly cost her life. Moments later, she said, the occupants of the taxi locked the doors, rolled up the windows, and eventually overpowered her. She was beaten, threatened with knives, and forced to surrender her ATM card and PIN. The gang later withdrew ₦100,000 from her account before pushing her out of a moving vehicle after almost two hours in captivity.
The victim’s testimony underscores the persistent menace of “one chance” operators in Abuja, who prey on unsuspecting commuters, often late in the evening or along deserted roads.
She cautioned residents to avoid entering taxis that appear suspicious, travel with trusted companions whenever possible, and resist boarding vehicles in isolated areas