How We Arrested 12 Robbers Behind Murder Of Arise News Journalist -Police
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), FCT Command has narrated how it successfully arrested twelve (12) notorious armed robbery suspects responsible for the killing of a journalist in Abuja.
Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, Esq. an Anchor, Reporter, and Producer with ARISE News, and Mr. Barnabas Danladi, a security guard, were killed during a robbery operation at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja, on 29th September 2025.
The Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement posted on her X handle on Friday disclosed that following the tragic incident, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao S. Adewale, established a Special Investigation Team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), DCP Aliyu Abubakar, and assisted by the Commander, Scorpion Squad, ACP Victor Godfrey, with a clear mandate to track down and dismantle the criminal network behind the attack.
She explained that leveraging digital reconstructive intelligence and conducting coordinated operations across the FCT, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States, the team successfully apprehended twelve (12) suspects and recovered the following exhibits: •One (1) locally fabricated AK-47 rifle •One (1) locally made pistol •One (1) pump-action gun •Thirty-six (36) live ammunition •Two (2) live cartridges •Four (4) mobile phones •Two (2) knives •One (1) cutlass •One (1) heavy flashlight The arrested suspects are: 1. Shamsudeen Hassan ‘m’ 2. Hassan Isah ‘m’, 22yrs 3. Abubakar Alkamu (aka Abba) ‘m’, 27yrs 4. Sani Sirajo (aka Dan Borume) ‘m’, 20yrs – gang driver 5. Mashkur Jamilu (aka Abba) ‘m’, 28yrs 6. Suleiman Badamasi (aka Dan Sule) ‘m’, 21yrs – provided vehicles for operations 7. Abdulsalam Saleh (aka Na-Durudu) ‘m’ 8. Zaharadeen Muhammad (aka Gwaska) ‘m’, 23yrs 9. Musa Adamu (aka Musa Hassan) ‘m’, 30yrs 10. Sumayya Mohammed (aka Baby) ‘f’, 27yrs 11. Isah Abdulrahman (aka Abbati) ‘m’, 25yrs 12. Musa Umar (aka Small) ‘m’, 31yrs.
According to her, all the suspects hail from Kaduna and Katsina States, noting that preliminary investigations revealed that the gang procured their firearms from a yet to be identified supplier in Niger Republic, and have also 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, according to SP Adeh, confirmed that the fatal shot which claimed the life of the security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, was fired by one of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan.
In the statement, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, extended his heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the late Ms. Somtochukwu Maduagwu and Mr. Barnabas Danlami.
He assured that the Command remains resolute in ensuring that justice prevail and all those responsible for the grievous act are brought to justice.
“The CP commended the professionalism and dedication of the operatives involved in the investigation and reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all residents of the FCT.
“He also 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,” the statement concluded.
