In a major development, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 12 suspects linked to the brutal armed robbery at Unique Apartments in Gishiri Village, Katampe district, that resulted in the de@ths of Arise News anchor and producer Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu and security guard Barnabas Danlami.
The arrests, announced in an internal police report from the EIB, followed directives from FCT Police Commissioner Ajao Adewale to dismantle the gang responsible for the early-morning attack, which occurred around 3:30 a.m.
Operatives from the elite Scorpion Squad, led by Assistant Commissioner Victor Godfrey, utilized actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence from Giga Forensics—a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC—to track and apprehend the notorious robbers.
Four suspects—Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu (aka Abba), Sani Sirajo (aka Dan Borume), and an unidentified accomplice—were initially nabbed shortly after the incident through tracking of stolen mobile phones.
During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed to fatally shooting Danlami as the guard attempted to block the robbers' entry into the apartment complex.
Sani Sirajo admitted to trying to restrain Maduagwu, who had fallen from a three-storey building in a desperate bid to escape, but claimed he was overwhelmed by her weight.
The group further revealed that each received ₦200,000 from the crime's proceeds, with Shamsudeen admitting to driving a stolen white Honda CR-V away from the scene.
Building on this, a tip-off and additional digital intelligence led to the capture of the remaining eight gang members on October 8, 2025, as they traveled toward a planned robbery in Maitama.
All 12 suspects have confessed to their roles in the Katampe heist and the broader operation, with investigations ongoing to apprehend any lingering accomplices.
The suspects, primarily hailing from Katsina, Kaduna, and Borno states, include:
Shamsudeen Hassan (male), from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
Hassan Isah (male), 22, from Zaria, Kaduna State
Abubakar Alkamu (aka Abba, male), 27, from Musawa LGA, Katsina State
Sani Sirajo (aka Dan Borume, male), 20, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
Mashkur Jamilu (aka Abba, male), 28, from Igabi LGA, Kaduna State
Suleiman Badamasi (aka Dan-Sule, male), 21, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
Abdul Salam Saleh (aka Na-Durudu, male), from Katsina LGA, Katsina State
Zaharadeen Muhammad (aka Gwaska, male), 23, from Chikun LGA, Kaduna State
Musa Adamu (aka Musa Hassan, male), 30, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
Sumayya Mohammed (aka Baby, male), 27, from Saminaka LGA, Kaduna State
Isah Abdulrahman (aka Abbati, male), 25, from Zaria LGA, Kaduna State
Musa Umar (aka Small, male), 31, from Maiduguri LGA, Borno State
Police recovered a cache of weapons and items used in the robbery, including one fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, one locally made pistol, one pump-action gun, two live cartridges, four victims' mobile phones, two sharp knives, one cutlass, and nine torchlights.
A video of the AK-47 recovery near Zuma Rock was also obtained, though suspect photos remain redacted pending full gang neutralization.
The tragic incident drew national outrage and tributes for the 29-year-old Maduagwu, known as "Sommie," a rising star at Arise News Channel celebrated for her anchoring, reporting, and production work.
Further updates on the probe and potential charges are expected soon, as the command reassures residents of Abuja's safety amid rising urban crime concerns.
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