Police arrest 12 robbery suspects involved in killing Arise TV journalist

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 12 suspected armed robbers linked to the gruesome murder of an Arise TV staff member, Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, during a robbery at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.

The suspects were apprehended following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to security agencies to track down the perpetrators. Acting on this order, operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey, launched a detailed investigation using digital and reconstructive intelligence under the directive of the FCT Commissioner of Police.

The incident occurred in the early hours of September 29, 2025, when the robbers invaded the apartment around 3:30 a.m., killing both victims.

Those arrested include: Shamsudeen Hassan (Malumfashi, Katsina State), Hassan Isah (Zaria, Kaduna State), Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba (Musawa, Katsina), Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume (Malumfashi, Katsina), Mashkur Jamili a.k.a. Abba (Igabi, Kaduna), Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule (Malumfashi, Katsina), Abdulsalam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu (Katsina), Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska (Chikun, Kaduna), Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan (Malumfashi, Katsina), Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby (Sammaka, Kaduna), Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati (Zaria, Kaduna), and Musa Umar a.k.a. Small (Maiduguri, Borno).

Police sources said four suspects — Shamsudeen, Hassan, Alkamu, and Sirajo — were initially captured shortly after the attack and confessed to their roles in the crime.

During interrogation, Shamsudeen admitted shooting the security guard who attempted to block their entry, while Sirajo confessed to struggling with Maduagwu as she fell from the third floor. Shamsudeen also revealed that he escaped with the victims’ white Honda CR-V, which was later sold, and each member received ₦200,000 from the proceeds.

Recovered exhibits include one fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of live 9mm ammunition, one locally made pistol, one pump-action gun, two cartridges, four mobile phones, two knives, one cutlass, and nine torchlights used during the operation.

Further arrests were made on October 8, when operatives intercepted three members of the gang, including Musa Umar and Hassan Isah, while they were allegedly on their way to another robbery operation in Maitama.

All suspects are currently in police custody and have reportedly confessed to their crimes.

The FCT Commissioner of Police commended the Scorpion Squad for their swift and professional response, assuring residents that the Command will intensify efforts to eradicate violent crimes in the capital.