A well-known Nigerian transgender TikToker, often referred to as “Abuja Area Mama,” was discovered dead by local authorities on Thursday. Her body, showing signs of beatings and bruises, was found along the Katampe - Mabushi expressway in the Banex, Wuse II area of Abuja, Nigeria's capital. The preliminary police report identified the individual as a man dressed in female clothing and revealed she was not carrying any form of identification at the time.
Previously known to her followers as Ifeanyi, Abuja Area Mama had expressed fears for her life last year. She had recounted an incident where she was attacked and seriously injured by an unknown assailant. In her final Instagram post on Wednesday, she mentioned she was preparing to meet her boyfriend, only for her body to be discovered hours later in what police suspect to be a murder.
Abuja Area Mama, 33, was a prominent figure on social media, amassing a loyal fan base through her TikTok videos that reflected on her life experiences and advocated transgender visibility. She also openly discussed her work as a sex worker. Describing herself as “the number one Abuja cross-dresser and queen of the street,” her posts were aimed at educating her followers on transgender issues and shedding light on her personal journey.
In response to the discovery of her body, Abuja police chief Benneth Igweh has mandated a "thorough and discreet" investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. The case is drawing significant attention due to the controversial nature of her public persona and the broader context of homophobia and transphobia in Nigeria.
Nigeria remains a deeply conservative society where same-sex relationships and expressions of LGBTQ+ identity are criminalized. Many LGBTQ+ individuals in the country live in fear due to the potential for targeted violence and societal discrimination. The nation's laws provide guarantees against discrimination and ensure the right to private and family life; however, incidents of mass arrests and detention of LGBTQ+ individuals are widespread, particularly in northern states.
The death of Abuja Area Mama has caused a substantial outpouring of grief and support on social media platforms. Many users lamented her tragic end and condemned the violence against her. "Taking laws into your hand because you don't like another person's sexual orientation is the worst form of inhumanity," posted Martins Ifijeh, a local journalist, on X (formerly known as Twitter).'