Police arrest 12 suspects in Robbery, Murder of Arisenews Staff and Security Guard

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested twelve suspects linked to the robbery and killing of Arise News journalist, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and security guard, Barnabas Danlami, at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, on September 29, 2025.

The operation followed the directive of the Commissioner of Police, FCT, to bring those responsible to justice. Acting on digital and forensic intelligence provided by Giga Forensics (EIB Stratoc), operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, tracked down and arrested the suspects.

Those apprehended include:
Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu (a.k.a. Abba), Sani Sirajo (a.k.a. Dan Borume), Mashkur Jamilu, Suleiman Badamasi, Abdul Salam Saleh, Zaharadeen Muhammad, Musa Adamu, Sumayya Mohammed, Isah Abdulrahman, and Musa Umar (a.k.a. Small).

Four suspects were first arrested after police tracked phones stolen from the apartment. During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed to shooting the security guard, while Sani Sirajo admitted he tried to stop Somtochukwu from falling off the building during the robbery. They also revealed sharing ₦200,000 each from the stolen proceeds.

Recovered exhibits include:
• One AK-47 rifle
• 36 rounds of 9mm ammunition
• One locally made pistol
• One pump-action gun and two live cartridges
• Four stolen phones
• Two knives, a cutlass, and nine torchlights used in the operation

Further arrests were made on October 8, 2025, when police intercepted other gang members en route to another planned robbery in Maitama.

All suspects have confessed to the crimes. Investigation is ongoing, while pictures of the suspects remain withheld pending the arrest of fleeing members.