A 29-year-old graduate of Kogi State University, Blessing Moshood, has been found dead inside a canal in the Jikwoyi area of Abuja, sparking grief and raising questions about her final moments.
Her body was discovered on Thursday, May 21, after she reportedly left home around 8 pm following a phone call, according to her sister, Abigail Moshood, who spoke with Daily Trust. Abigail said Blessing later called again about an hour after stepping out, saying she would briefly return home to pick up her phone charger, which she had forgotten. That was the last time the family heard from her.
Panic set in the next day when Blessing could no longer be reached and did not return home as expected. The situation took a painful turn when residents began talking about a female body found in a canal. Abigail said the description of the victim’s hairstyle matched her sister’s, which alerted the family.
Family Discovers Tragic Truth
“We later heard people talking about the body of a woman discovered inside a canal, and someone described the type of hairstyle the deceased had, which matched my sister’s,” she said. She added that police officers from the Jikwoyi division had already moved the body to a mortuary in Mararaba, Nasarawa state. She also noted that the corpse was found half-naked, wearing only a top. When she visited the police station, she was shown photographs of the recovered body, which confirmed the family’s fears.
Neighbors Mourn Friendly Graduate
In the neighborhood, residents described Blessing as friendly, intelligent, and well-educated. One neighbor, Margaret, said she graduated with a Second Class Upper in Sociology and was known for her confidence and good communication skills. “She was also very friendly in this neighborhood and will be greatly missed by all of us, especially the children who have been crying since they learned of her death,” the neighbor said.
Another resident, Abdullahi Musa, called for a stronger police presence in the Jikwoyi Medical Centre axis, saying the area had become known for phone snatching and other criminal activity. The Federal Capital Territory Police Command confirmed the incident, with spokesperson Adeh Josephine saying investigations are ongoing, though there were conflicting comments about awareness of the case when later contacted.
Rising Crime Concerns
The tragic death has reignited concerns over increasing crime in the area. Residents are demanding better security measures to prevent further incidents. The police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Blessing’s death, but many questions remain unanswered.
In a similar incident, a private school teacher in Ogun State allegedly kidnapped and killed a 16-year-old WAEC candidate after luring her to a coaching class under false pretenses before dumping her body in a river. Police confirmed the suspect's arrest and said he later collected ₦500,000 ransom from the victim’s family despite her death.
