Residents of Jikwoyi in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called on the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, to personally oversee the investigation into the killing of 29-year-old graduate, Blessing Moshood, whose body was discovered in a canal in Abuja.
The residents expressed concern over what they described as a slow and inadequate initial response by officers of the Jikwoyi Police Division, alleging that the family was merely directed to a mortuary where the body was deposited and advised to conduct an autopsy.
Blessing was reportedly killed on Thursday night after she left her residence around 8pm following a phone conversation with an unidentified caller.
A resident, Mrs Ramat Ali, said the circumstances surrounding the death require what she described as a “thorough and intelligence-driven investigation.”
According to her, investigators should prioritise tracing the last call made to the deceased and recovering her mobile phone, which she said could provide critical evidence.
“This is clearly a murder case and the police must go beyond ordinary procedures. They should investigate who called her out and recover her phone because these are important clues,” she said.
She also criticised the financial burden placed on the bereaved family following the recommendation for an autopsy, given prevailing economic conditions.
Another resident, Joy Nwosu, appealed directly to the commissioner of police to bring the same level of urgency applied in previous high-profile cases in the FCT to the investigation.
She referenced a case involving a female lawyer allegedly killed by ‘one chance’ operators along the Kubwa Expressway, which she said received swift police attention.
“We have seen the commissioner tackle difficult criminal cases before. We are pleading with him to ensure justice is served in this matter too,” she stated.
The killing has further heightened anxiety among women in the area.
A nurse, Munirat Abdulkadir, said the incident has deepened fear among female residents who often return home late from work.
“We no longer feel safe. I usually close from work around 10pm and now everyone is afraid,” she said.
Another resident, Ego Isiogu, urged women to be more security conscious and to always inform family members of their movements.
Habibatu Isah also recalled previous killings of women in the community, saying residents were increasingly alarmed by recurring violent incidents.
“Last year, a pregnant woman was killed, and years ago another woman was murdered inside her room. This latest incident has deepened fear among women here,” she added.
Narrating the circumstances surrounding the incident, Blessing’s sister, Abigail Moshood, said the deceased left home after receiving a phone call and later reached out to say she would return briefly to pick up a forgotten phone charger.
However, she never returned.
The family later learned of the discovery of a female corpse in a canal after residents identified the victim by her hairstyle.
According to Abigail, officers of the Jikwoyi Police Division evacuated the body, reportedly found half-naked, to a mortuary in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
