The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), operating under the directive of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, has announced the successful arrest of twelve (12) suspected armed robbers allegedly involved in the tragic robbery incident that resulted in the deaths of Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami.
The suspects were apprehended following a swift and intensive investigation that utilized advanced digital intelligence, leading to the dismantling of the robbery gang.
NPF Press Statement: Arrest of Suspects
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FCT POLICE COMMAND VOWS JUSTICE: 12 ARRESTED OVER MURDER OF ARISE NEWS STAFF AND SECURITY GUARD
The FCT Police Command today confirmed the arrest of twelve (12) individuals suspected to be members of the armed robbery gang responsible for the fatal attack at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025.
The Incident: The robbery, which took place at approximately 0330hrs, tragically led to the death of Mr. Barnabas Danlami, the apartment’s security guard, and Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu (29), an anchor, reporter, and producer with ARISE News Channel.
Operational Success: Following the directive of the FCT Commissioner of Police, operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, were deployed. Acting on actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics (a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC), the team successfully arrested twelve key members of the criminal network.
Confessions and Breakthroughs:
- Four suspects were initially apprehended through the tracking of mobile phones stolen during the robbery.
- Shamsudeen Hassan confessed to shooting the security guard, Barnabas Danlami, when the guard attempted to prevent their entry. Hassan also confessed to driving the gang’s white Honda CR-V getaway vehicle.
- Sani Sirajo admitted to being present when Ms. Maduagwu fell. He claimed to have attempted to hold her from falling off the three-story building but was overwhelmed by her weight. (The police previously reported that Maduagwu succumbed to injuries sustained after jumping from her third-floor apartment in a bid to escape the intruders).
- The initial four apprehended suspects admitted to receiving ?200,000 each from the proceeds of the crime.
- The remaining members of the gang, including Musa Umar a.k.a. small and Hassan Isah, were intercepted yesterday, October 8, 2025, while en route to a planned armed robbery operation in the Maitama area of Abuja.
Suspects Arrested: The arrested suspects, whose background details are being verified, are listed as follows:
- Shamsudeen Hassan (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina)
- Hassan Isah, 22 (Zaria, Kaduna State)
- Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba, 27 (Musawa LGA, Katsina State)
- Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume, 20 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
- Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba, 28 (Igabi LGA, Kaduna State)
- Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule, 21 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
- Abdul Salam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu (Katsina LGA, Katsina State)
- Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska, 23 (Chikun LGA, Kaduna State)
- Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan, 30 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
- Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby, 27 (Sammaka LGA, Kaduna State)
- Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati, 25 (Zaria LGA, Kaduna State)
- Musa Umar a.k.a. Small, 31 (Maiduguri LGA, Borno State)
Recovered Exhibits: The following items were recovered from the suspects:
- One (1) fabricated AK-47 rifle
- Thirty-six (36) rounds of 9mm live ammunition
- One (1) locally made pistol
- One (1) pump-action gun
- Two (2) live cartridges
- Four (4) mobile phones stolen from the victims
- Two (2) sharp knives and one (1) cutlass
- Nine (9) torchlights used during the operation
The FCT Police Command assures the public that all suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crimes. Investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to apprehend any remaining fleeing members of the criminal network. Further developments will be communicated in due course.
Background on the Victims
Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu (‘Sommie’) Somtochukwu Maduagwu was a highly regarded journalist, lawyer, and producer at ARISE News Channel’s Abuja studio. Born in London in 1995, she was 29 years old at the time of her death. Maduagwu was known for covering legal issues, women’s rights, and her advocacy for gender equality. Her tragic death sent shockwaves through the Nigerian media community and highlighted the growing insecurity challenges in the nation’s capital.
Barnabas Danlami Barnabas Danlami was the security guard at Unique Apartment who was fatally shot by the robbers while attempting to prevent them from gaining entry to the building, sacrificing his life in the line of duty.
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