ABUJA, NIGERIA
In a move aimed at easing public tension over rising FCT insecurity, the police has confirmed the initial arrest of twelve suspects linked to the fatal armed robbery that claimed the life of ARISE News journalist, Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard in Abuja, hinting that its ongoing investigation has yielded credible leads on the arms suppliers who allegedly provided the weapons to the arrested gang members.
The arrests, made almost two weeks after the tragic incident, were disclosed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP) Benjamin Hundeyin, during a press briefing held at the FCT Police Command Headquarters in Garki, Abuja, on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
The armed robbery occurred on September 29, 2025, at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja. Besides the journalist, the attack also resulted in the death of Mr. Barnabas Danlami, a security guard at the premises.
“Through diligent efforts and extensive digital intelligence analysis, twelve (12) suspects linked to the robbery have been successfully arrested,” the FPRO stated, commending the FCT Police Command operatives for their “exceptional professionalism, courage, and dedication.”
The suspects are identified as: Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah (22), Abubakar AlKamu a.k.a. Abba (27), Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume (20), Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba (28), Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule (21), Abdulsalam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu, Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska (23), Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan (30), Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby (27), Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati (25), and Musa Umar a.k.a. Small (31).
Police investigations further revealed that one of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, fired the fatal shot that killed the security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, when he attempted to prevent the gang from entering the apartment complex.
Recovered exhibits from the suspects included a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, a locally made pistol, a pump-action gun, thirty-six live rounds of 9mm ammunition, two live cartridges, four mobile phones, two sharp knives, one cutlass, and two flashlights.
The police also disclosed that the suspects’ firearms were sourced from a yet-to-be-identified supplier in the Niger Republic and that the gang has been involved in other armed robbery operations across Katampe I, Apo, Zuba, and other parts of the FCT.
While investigations are ongoing, the swift arrests and recovery of a significant cache of illegal weapons are expected to quell public anxiety and the growing perception of vulnerability following the high-profile murder of a journalist in the nation’s capital. The police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to support them with timely and credible information.
