Ghanaian Commission Staff Dies After 'One-Chance' Robbery Attack in Abuja
A staff member of the Ghana High Commission in Nigeria, Miss Freda Arnong, tragically lost her life after falling victim to a brutal “one-chance” robbery in Abuja. On July 1, 2025, after attending a house fellowship near the CBN Institute in Maitama, she boarded what appeared to be a regular taxi along the Transcorp Hilton Road. Unbeknownst to her, the vehicle was being operated by members of a criminal syndicate who, shortly after she entered, blindfolded her and began torturing her in an attempt to gain access to her mobile banking apps. Despite her efforts to reason with them and even offering a ₦10 million transfer through her employer, the attackers refused and intensified their assault.
Later that night, the gang dumped her near the Moshood Abiola Stadium, severely injured and left for dead. She was rescued by a local vigilante and rushed to the National Hospital in Abuja, where doctors discovered extensive internal injuries, including broken ribs, kidney and lung damage, internal bleeding, and trauma to her heart and eyes. Despite undergoing treatment, Freda succumbed to her injuries a few days later, sparking grief and outrage both in Ghana and Nigeria, particularly among her family, friends, and diplomatic colleagues.
The aftermath of her death triggered widespread condemnation and calls for urgent action. Human rights groups, including the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), demanded that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration install CCTV cameras, deploy emergency response teams, and introduce verification systems for commercial drivers. Freda’s brother also took to social media to demand justice and accountability, while stressing the need for immediate security reforms to prevent such horrific incidents from recurring. Her tragic death has since reignited conversations about the dangers of unregulated transport services and the growing threat of “one-chance” robberies in Nigeria's capital.
