The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 12 suspected armed robbers in connection with the gruesome murder of Arise Television staff member, Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, during a robbery incident in Abuja. The raid took place at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village in the Katampe District around 3:30 am on September 29, 2025.
The arrest followed a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who ordered security agencies to ensure the perpetrators were tracked down and brought to justice.
How the Suspects Were Arrested
According to counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the operation was conducted by the elite Scorpion Squad of the FCT Police Command, led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey. The suspects were traced and captured using digital intelligence and crime scene reconstruction techniques.
The police initially arrested four suspects shortly after the incident. These suspects reportedly confessed to their roles in the crime, leading to the arrest of eight additional gang members.
Full List of Arrested Suspects
The 12 suspects currently in police custody are:
- Shamsudeen Hassan (Malumfashi, Katsina State)
- Hassan Isah, 22 (Zaria, Kaduna State)
- Abubakar Alkamu, 27 (Musawa, Katsina State)
- Sani Sirajo, 20 (Malumfashi, Katsina State)
- Mashkur Jamili, 28 (Igabi, Kaduna State)
- Suleiman Badamasi, 21 (Malumfashi, Katsina State)
- Abdulsalam Saleh (Katsina LGA, Katsina State)
- Zaharadeen Muhammad, 23 (Chikun, Kaduna State)
- Musa Adamu, 30 (Malumfashi, Katsina State)
- Sumayya Mohammed, 27 (Sammaka, Kaduna State – only female suspect)
- Isah Abdulrahman, 25 (Zaria, Kaduna State)
- Musa Umar, 31 (Maiduguri, Borno State)
Confession of Key Suspects
Police sources revealed that the first four arrested suspects confessed to their involvement in the robbery and murder. During interrogation:
- Shamsudeen Hassan confessed to shooting the security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami.
- Sani Sirajo admitted that he held Ms. Maduagwu as she fell from the third floor during the violent robbery.
- The gang stole the victims’ belongings, including a white Honda CR-V, which Shamsudeen confessed to driving away after the attack.
- Each suspect reportedly received ₦200,000 as their share of the robbery proceeds.
Weapons and Items Recovered
During the arrests, police recovered:
- 1 fabricated AK-47 rifle
- 36 rounds of live ammunition
- 1 locally-made pistol
- 1 pump-action gun
- 2 live cartridges
- 4 mobile phones
- 2 knives
- 1 cutlass
- 9 torchlights
More Arrests After Attempted Second Robbery
On October 8, 2025, three more suspects, including Musa Umar and Hassan Isah, were intercepted while allegedly planning another robbery in Maitama, one of Abuja’s highbrow districts. Their arrest helped the police uncover the rest of the gang.
Police Assures Justic
The FCT Commissioner of Police commended ACP Victor Godfrey and the Scorpion Squad for what he described as a commendable and intelligence-driven operation. He assured residents that the police would sustain their crackdown on armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes in the capital.
All 12 suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
This heartbreaking case has raised serious concerns about rising insecurity in Abuja, especially in areas close to the city’s elite districts. Nigerians continue to demand swift justice for Somtochukwu and Mr. Danlami, whose lives were brutally cut short.
