A cross-dresser, popularly called ‘Area Mama’, has been murdered and his body dumped by the roadside in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The Guardian learnt that Area Mama’s body was recovered yesterday.

In a viral photo which surfaced on social media, the cross-dresser was seen lifeless and covered with bruises sustained from the alleged beating he received before passing away.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the FCT police command, SP Josephine Adeh, said in response to a distress call received by the command’s Control Room on August 8, at about 7:40 a.m., that an unidentified lady was seen lying motionless along the Katampe-Mabushi expressway, a team of detectives was immediately dispatched to the scene.

She said: “Preliminary investigation disclosed it was a case of suspected homicide. 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 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.”