Woman Found Decapitated in Bwari — Abuja Police Launch Murder Probe

June 18, 2026 3 min read

Police in the Federal Capital Territory have launched a murder investigation after a woman's decapitated body was discovered inside an unfinished building in Bwari Area Council on Saturday. Officers responded to the scene following a report and recovered the remains, which showed clear signs of violence.

Body Found at Construction Site

Authorities received reports on Saturday evening that a corpse had been discovered at a building under construction in the Bwari area of Abuja. Officers from the nearest police division rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area while forensic teams began their examination. The victim had suffered a wound to the neck consistent with a bladed weapon, investigators confirmed.

The building where the body was found sits in a neighbourhood that residents say has seen little development in recent years. Neighbours told reporters they noticed nothing unusual in the hours before the discovery. No arrests have been made as of Sunday evening.

Security Situation in Bwari Area Council

Bwari is one of the six area councils that make up the Federal Capital Territory. The area sits roughly 20 kilometres from the city centre and includes both densely populated neighbourhoods and semi-rural settlements. Residents have long complained about inadequate police presence, particularly after dark.

The Area Commandant of the Nigeria Police Force in Bwari confirmed that officers have increased patrols in the vicinity of the discovery. The Area Commandant urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward, stressing that tip-offs could help bring the perpetrator to justice.

Investigation Underway

The FCT Police Command issued a statement on Sunday confirming the investigation. Officers are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby properties and interviewing residents in the surrounding streets. The remains have been transferred to a mortuary pending an autopsy, which investigators say will provide more details about the exact cause and time of death.

A police spokesperson told reporters that detectives are pursuing several leads but declined to give specifics while the investigation remains active. The identity of the victim has not been officially released pending notification of next of kin.

Community Reaction

Residents of Bwari expressed fear and anger following the discovery. Some said they avoid passing near construction sites after sunset, citing the risk posed by structures left unfinished for months or years. Others called on the authorities to do more to protect residents in peripheral areas of the capital.

A community leader in the neighbourhood said the killing had shaken local people who already feel underserved by security agencies. The leader called on the police to prioritise the case and ensure the killer does not escape justice.

Safety Concerns at Unfinished Buildings

The discovery has reignited debate about the dangers posed by abandoned and incomplete construction projects across the FCT. Several uncompleted structures dot the landscape of Bwari and surrounding area councils, many of them left idle for years after construction stalled.

Urban safety advocates have repeatedly warned that such sites attract criminal activity and create hazardous conditions for residents. The FCT Administration has previously announced plans to address the issue but enforcement has remained limited.

What Comes Next

Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward, particularly anyone who saw strangers or suspicious activity near the construction site on Saturday. Detectives are expected to release more information once the autopsy results are available and a clearer picture of the circumstances surrounding the killing emerges.

The case will be prosecuted by the FCT legal department if suspects are identified and charged. For now, investigators are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any information to the nearest police station or the FCT Police Command's emergency line.