The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested twelve suspected armed robbers linked to the brutal killing of ARISE News journalist Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, during a robbery attack at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja, on September 29, 2025.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, set up a Special Investigation Team led by DCP Aliyu Abubakar of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and assisted by ACP Victor Godfrey, Commander of the Scorpion Squad, with a directive to track and dismantle the gang.
Through what police described as digital reconstructive intelligence and coordinated raids across FCT, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States, the team arrested twelve suspects and recovered a cache of weapons and stolen items, including:
- One locally fabricated AK-47 rifle
- One locally made pistol
- One pump-action gun
- 36 live rounds of ammunition
- Two live cartridges
- Four mobile phones
- Two knives
- One cutlass
- One heavy flashlight
The suspects—identified as Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah (22), Abubakar Alkamu (27), Sani Sirajo (20), Mashkur Jamilu (28), Suleiman Badamasi (21), Abdulsalam Saleh, Zaharadeen Muhammad (23), Musa Adamu (30), Sumayya Mohammed (27), Isah Abdulrahman (25), and Musa Umar (31)—all hail from Kaduna and Katsina States.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the gang sourced their firearms from a supplier in Niger Republic and had participated in other robberies in Katampe I, Apo, and Zuba. Police further confirmed that Shamsudeen Hassan fired the fatal shot that killed Mr. Danlami during the attack.
CP Adewale extended condolences to the bereaved families and colleagues of the victims, assuring that justice will be served. He praised the investigating officers for their professionalism and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to residents’ safety.
The Commissioner also urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the FCT Police through the emergency lines 08032003913, 08028940883, or 08107314192 (CRU FCT).