Police Arrest 12 Suspects Over Murder of Arise News Staff, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, in Abuja Robbery

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 12 suspects in connection with the brutal attack that claimed the lives of Arise News journalist Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, at Unique Apartments in Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.

The arrests followed a joint operation led by the Scorpion Squad, under the command of ACP Victor Godfrey, using digital and reconstructive intelligence from Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB Stratoc.

How the attack unfolded

Police said the deadly robbery occurred around 3:30 a.m. on September 29, 2025, when the armed gang invaded the apartment complex. During the attack, the suspects shot dead the security guard, Barnabas Danlami, after he tried to prevent them from breaking in.

According to investigators, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a dedicated journalist with Arise News, fell from the third floor while attempting to escape the assailants.

One of the suspects, Sani Sirajo, told police he tried to stop her from falling but failed, saying:

“I tried to stop her from jumping, but I couldn’t because she was too heavy.”

Another suspect, Shamsudeen Hassan, confessed to shooting the security guard and driving away the victim’s white Honda CR-V after the operation.

How the police tracked them down

Investigators traced the suspects using the victims’ stolen mobile phones, leading to the initial arrest of Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, and Sirajo. Further intelligence gathering led to the capture of nine additional suspects across different states.

Those arrested include:

• Shamsudeen Hassan (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
• Hassan Isah, 22 (Zaria, Kaduna State)
• Abubakar Alkamu alias Abba, 27 (Musawa LGA, Katsina State)
• Sani Sirajo alias Dan Borume, 20 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
• Mashkur Jamilu alias Abba, 28 (Igabi LGA, Kaduna State)
• Suleiman Badamasi alias Dan-Sule, 21 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
• Abdul Salam Saleh alias Na-durudu (Katsina LGA, Katsina State)
• Zaharadeen Muhammad alias Gwaska, 23 (Chikun LGA, Kaduna State)
• Musa Adamu alias Musa Hassan, 30 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
• Sumayya Mohammed alias Baby, 27 (Saminaka LGA, Kaduna State)
• Isah Abdulrahman alias Abbati, 25 (Zaria LGA, Kaduna State)
• Musa Umar alias Small, 31 (Maiduguri LGA, Borno State)

Recovered weapons and loot

Police recovered several items from the suspects, including:

• One fabricated AK-47 rifle
• 36 rounds of live ammunition
• One pump-action gun
• One locally made pistol
• Two live cartridges
• Four mobile phones belonging to the victims
• Two knives, a cutlass, and nine torchlights used in the operation

The suspects allegedly shared ₦200,000 each from the proceeds of the robbery.

The FCT Police Command said investigations are ongoing to recover other stolen items and ensure justice for Somtochukwu and the slain security guard.