BusinessDay defence correspondent, Ojochenemi Onje, has been abducted by kidnappers, commonly referred to as “one-chance operators,” in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Several of her colleagues confirmed the development on Friday evening.
Ojochenemi Onje was reportedly kidnapped on her way home from the office. According to sources, the kidnappers have contacted her workplace, demanding a ransom of N1 million for her release.
“We need your prayers. The BusinessDay correspondent was kidnapped by one-chance operators, and they are demanding one million before they would release her,” a colleague revealed.
The incident has been reported to the Nigerian police and military, though it remains unclear what specific actions have been taken so far to secure her release.
Meanwhile, colleagues and well-wishers have taken to social media and other platforms to express their concern, offering prayers for her safe return.
The term “one-chance” is widely used in Nigeria to describe a criminal operation where unsuspecting passengers are lured into vehicles operated by gangs pretending to offer commercial transport. Victims are often robbed, assaulted, or abducted.
This year alone, several cases have been reported in Abuja, highlighting the persistent danger posed by these criminal gangs.
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In May, the lifeless body of Kadoon Louisa Lornumbe was found by the roadside after falling victim to one-chance operators near Tipper Garage Bridge in Mpape.
Earlier in the year, an unidentified woman was found dead on Airport Road in the Lugbe area, also believed to have been killed by one-chance operators.
These incidents underscore the alarming rise in insecurity in the nation’s capital, where residents remain vulnerable to such targeted crimes.
The abduction of Ojochenemi Onje is yet another grim reminder of the worsening safety concerns in Abuja. With “one-chance” operators becoming more brazen, there is an urgent need for law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to tackle this menace.
Residents are advised to remain vigilant and cautious when boarding public or private vehicles, especially in poorly lit or less populated areas.
