Abuja cross-dresser’s killers must face justice – Police

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has reiterated that the killers of a popular cross-dresser known as Abuja Area Mama must be arrested and made to face justice.

A senior police officer attached to the FCT Command, during a WhatsApp chat with our correspondent on Friday, said investigations into the case were ongoing, adding that the perpetrators of the crime must be brought to book.

The officer said, “Nigerians should not be afraid. It doesn’t matter who he is or what he is engaged in. He was a human being that was killed in such a gruesome way. The CP is not happy about it because this does not look well for the FCT.”

Another senior officer told our correspondent that a team had already been set up to uncover the circumstances that led to the young man’s death.

“An investigation team has been set up. The CP is interested in the case and wants to know what happened to that young man,” the officer said.

The young man, also known as Chantelle, said to be in his 30s, was reportedly killed on Wednesday night.

Several sources close to the matter noted that the deceased, known to always dress in female clothing on TikTok, had come live on the social media app on Wednesday night before his tragic death.

He was on Thursday morning found lying lifeless on the Katampe-Mabushi Expressway in Abuja, with blunt wounds.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, had, in a statement on Thursday, noted that the CP had ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, adding that criminals in the FCT had no hiding place.

She noted, “In response to a distress call received by the Command Control Room on August 08, 2024, around 7.40 am, that an unidentified lady was seen lying motionless along Katampe-Mabushi Expressway, a team of detectives were immediately dispatched to the scene.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the individual was a man fully dressed in female clothing with no means of identification on him. He was immediately taken to Maitama District Hospital where doctors on duty confirmed him dead.

“The state Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, has promptly ordered a thorough and discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death. Updates on this matter will be communicated in due course.”

Meanwhile, some friends of the deceased have expressed shock at the young man’s sudden death.

A close friend of the deceased, who did not want to be named for fear of victimisation, told our correspondent in a chat on X that she was still in shock over the incident.

“I spoke to Area Mama that Wednesday night. He told me he was going out. I couldn’t hear him properly but he promised to call me when he got back. He also said he wanted to go to Lugbe to see someone. It is still like a dream how he was killed like an animal,” she said.

Another friend, identified simply as Lewis, said Area Mama worked as a hairdresser for years before moving to Abuja, adding that the cross-dresser complained to him about online bullies who threatened to kill him should they see him in public.

“They have made real their threat. I beg the police to intervene. Chantelle cannot die like that,” Lewis said.