The FCT Police Command has arrested twelve suspects in connection with the killing of ARISE News journalist Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu and security guard Barnabas Danlami during a robbery at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja, on September 29, 2025.
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Police Public Relations Officer SP Josephine Adeh announced the arrests in a statement on October 10, 2025.
Following the incident, FCT Commissioner of Police Ajao S. Adewale established a Special Investigation Team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Aliyu Abubakar, and assisted by Commander, Scorpion Squad, ACP Victor Godfrey, with a mandate to track down and dismantle the criminal network behind the attack.
Using digital reconstructive intelligence and conducting coordinated operations across the FCT, Nasarawa and Kaduna States, the team apprehended the twelve suspects and recovered one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, one locally made pistol, one pump-action gun, thirty-six live ammunition, two live cartridges, four mobile phones, two knives, one cutlass, and one heavy flashlight.
The arrested suspects are Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah (22 years), Abubakar Alkamu also known as Abba (27 years), Sani Sirajo also known as Dan Borume (20 years), Mashkur Jamilu also known as Abba (28 years), Suleiman Badamasi also known as Dan Sule (21 years), Abdulsalam Saleh also known as Na-Durudu, Zaharadeen Muhammad also known as Gwaska (23 years), Musa Adamu also known as Musa Hassan (30 years), Sumayya Mohammed also known as Baby (27 years), Isah Abdulrahman also known as Abbati (25 years), and Musa Umar also known as Small (31 years).
Police identified Sani Sirajo as the gang driver and Suleiman Badamasi as the member who provided vehicles for operations.
According to the statement, all the suspects hail from Kaduna and Katsina States.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the gang procured their firearms from a yet-to-be-identified supplier in Niger Republic. They have confessed to participating in other armed robbery operations at Katampe 1, a hotel in Apo, and another in Zuba, all within the FCT.
Further investigations confirmed that the fatal shot, which claimed the life of security guard Barnabas Danlami, was fired by suspect Shamsudeen Hassan.
The Commissioner of Police extended condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the late Somtochukwu Maduagwu and Barnabas Danlami. He assured that the Command remains resolute in ensuring justice will prevail and all those responsible for the act are brought to justice.
The CP commended the professionalism and dedication of the operatives involved in the investigation and reiterated the Command’s commitment to the safety and security of all residents of the FCT.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities through the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, or CRU FCT: 08107314192.
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