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Abuja Area Mama

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Abuja Area Mama
Abuja Area Mama in 2024.
Born
Ifeanyi Chukwu-Agah Benedict

(1991-04-20)20 April 1991
Afikpo North, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Died8 August 2024(2024-08-08) (aged 33)
Cause of deathBeaten and stabbed
Body discoveredKatampe-Mabushi Expressway, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
Other namesShantel Kay, Chantelle, Area Mama
Occupations
  • Sex worker
  • LGBTQ activist
Years active2006–2024

Ifeanyi Chukwu-Agah Benedict (20 April 1991 – 8 August 2024), predominantly known as Abuja Area Mama, was a Nigerian sex worker, social media personality, and an LGBTQ rights activist.[1] She was murdered on 8 August 2024 and her case remains unsolved.

Early life

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Ifeanyi Chukwu-Agah Benedict was born in Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi State.[2] At an early age, she took an interest in "cross-dressing", often dressing as a female and wearing makeup and wigs.[3] Benedict became aware of her sexuality at the age of ten year old, considering herself to be gay.[3] She disclosed that she had been sexually molested by unnamed adults who used vaseline to "massage her kpekus";[3] a Nigerian pidgin term for female genitalia.

Life and career

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Benedict adopted the name Shantel Kay (sometimes spelled Chantelle).[4][5][6] She began working as a hairdresser and makeup artist.[6] She later relocated to Abuja. In 2006, she began taking on sex work for money and having sex with undisclosed clients, donning the title Abuja Area Mama. Her clients, which included elderly and retired men whose identities were never publicly disclosed, would pick her up at night.[3][7] As she pursued sex work, Benedict was subject to multiple physical assaults, including a knife stabbing that was later documented on her social media video in September 2023. Despite reports to the local police, no investigations or arrest were ever made. Throughout 2024, Benedict began appearing on several TV shows and web-shows discussing her life, bringing awareness the dangers of prostitution and life on the streets.[3] In March 2024, she expressed wanting to retire from the sex work industry and find a husband to marry.[8]

Personal life

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Despite being labeled as transgender by several media outlets, Benedict identified as a gay male who "cross-dresses";[3][9] an act where she would dress as a female.[3] She also identified using the pronouns she/her. In November 2023, she disclosed that her father had died.[10]

Death

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On the night of 7 August 2024,[1] Benedict uploaded a video to her TikTok showcasing her wearing makeup and a wig, dressed in a dark kimono. Benedict, who was in the back of a ride-hailing service vehicle, was on her way to meet with a client. The following morning on 8 August, Benedict's bloodied and beaten corpse was found along the Katampe-Mabushi Expressway in the Banex, Wuse 2 area of the Federal Capital Territory.[1] Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh had reportedly opened an investigation but Benedict's murder remains unsolved.[1] Four days before her murder, Benedict shared a video via Instagram showing a hostile client who paid ₦200,000 naira in services and demanded their money back. She was laid to rest on 25 February 2025.

Remembrances and reactions

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Abuja Area Mama's murder was reported by several international news media including BBC News,[11] CNN,[12] and PinkNews.[13] Nigerian human rights group The Initiative For Equal Rights (TIERS) offered their condolences.[14] An online petition, hosted by All Out, was started with the goal of reaching 10,000 signatures to be sent to the Nigeria Ministry of Justice.[15] Nigerian journalist Martins Ifijeh referred to the murder as "the worst form of inhumanity".[16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Police identify slain Abuja crossdresser as family aids probe. Punch Nigeria. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
  2. ^ Abuja Area Mama: Police Share Background of Deceased TikTok Star, Evokes Emotions, "After 2 Weeks?". Legit Nigeria. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Pillow Talk televised interview with The Kaine Kranda Show. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
  4. ^ Abuja Area Mama Facebook post on October 5, 2022. Facebook. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
  5. ^ LGBTQ+ Nigerian Groups Demand Justice After the Death of TikToker "Abuja Area Mama". Them. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
  6. ^ a b Abuja cross-dresser’s killers must face justice – Police. Punch Nigeria. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
  7. ^ “I don’t get turned on by women even if she’s naked” – Abuja-based crossdresser (Video). Gistreel. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
  8. ^ “I am hoping for a good man to come into my life and marry me” – Abuja-based crossdresser. Gistreel. Retrieved on July 5, 2025
  9. ^ Abuja Area Mama Facebook post on September 4, 2023. Facebook. Retrieved on July 5, 2025
  10. ^ Abuja Area Mama Facebook post on November 15, 2023. Facebook. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
  11. ^ Nigerian transgender TikToker found dead. BBC News. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
  12. ^ Nigerian police investigate killing of trans TikToker Abuja Area Mama. CNN. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
  13. ^ Nigerian transgender TikTok star found dead. PinkNews. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
  14. ^ Nigeria: LGBTIQ+ Community Shaken by Murder of Trans Social Media Figure. Mamba Online. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
  15. ^ Nigeria: Justice for Abuja Area Mama. AllOut. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
  16. ^ Police order investigation into the murder of Nigeria cross-dresser “Abuja Area Mama”. Africa News. Retrieved on July 4, 2025
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