Abuja, Nigeria — Friday, September 19, 2025: It was a scene many Abuja residents have come to dread: a commuter flung out of a moving vehicle, her screams drowned out by traffic, as the car sped away. This time, however, luck ran out for the suspects. Alerted by witnesses, operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) intercepted the vehicle — a white Volkswagen Golf — and apprehended three alleged members of a notorious one-chance syndicate operating around the Wuse axis.
“They tried to escape by abandoning the car and scaling fences,” an FRSC officer recalled. “But we caught all three and brought them to our command.”
The suspects — two women and a man — denied being “one-chance” criminals. Yet, under questioning, they admitted to engaging in “419” advance-fee fraud, a con game that has robbed victims of thousands of naira.
The Anatomy of a Scam
Investigators say the syndicate’s method is cruelly simple. Victims are lured into taxis or small buses, and then pressured with stories of hidden cash, counterfeit currency, or urgent deals. The criminals convince them to contribute money, pretending it will be doubled or shared. In the end, the victim loses everything.
One suspect described the deception: “We tell them if they go to the police, they will lose the money. Somebody pretends to be spiritual, insisting the victim must bring out their cash. That’s how we get them.”
Vehicle documents have already exposed irregularities. The particulars on the car bore the name “Teresa,” while one suspect alternately called herself “Irene” and “Tessie.” Authorities believe this is evidence of a larger network with access to forged records.
The Victims’ Voices
For the countless victims of “one-chance” in Abuja, the FRSC arrest offers a flicker of justice, though scars remain.
“I boarded a cab at Berger Junction last year,” said Favour, a 27-year-old civil servant. “Before I knew it, they locked the doors and demanded my ATM card. They beat me when I hesitated. I lost ₦120,000 in one night. I still can’t take taxis alone.”
Another victim, Musa, a student, recounted his ordeal near Nyanya: “They pushed me out of the car when I refused to give my PIN. I broke my arm and missed a semester. The worst part was the humiliation — they treated me like I was nothing.”
Some victims never return home. In 2023, police confirmed multiple deaths linked to one-chance robberies, with some victims left unconscious by the roadside.
A Growing Menace
The menace has flourished in Abuja’s gaps in urban transport regulation. Unmarked taxis and unregistered ride-hailing operators make it easy for criminals to disguise themselves as ordinary drivers.
“One-chance thrives because of poverty and weak systems,” said a retired police officer. “People are desperate, and enforcement is inconsistent. Until there is strict control of transport operators, the syndicates will keep multiplying.”
The Road Ahead
For now, the FRSC has transferred the suspects to the Nigerian Police, who are expected to pursue deeper investigations. Authorities are urging residents to avoid unmarked taxis, share trip details with relatives, and remain alert at transport hubs.
But for survivors like Favour and Musa, the battle is personal. “Catching three suspects won’t end this nightmare,” Favour said. “We need a system that protects commuters. Until then, every cab ride feels like a gamble with your life.”
As the sun sets over Abuja, one question lingers: will the latest arrests mark a turning point, or will “one-chance” continue to hold the city hostage?
