The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested twelve suspected armed robbers allegedly responsible for the killing of Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, a journalist with Arise News, and Mr. Barnabas Danlami, a security guard, during a robbery at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja, on September 29, 2025.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao S. Adewale, disclosed this in Abuja, noting that the arrest followed an intensive investigation launched immediately after the tragic incident.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, a Special Investigation Team headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), DCP Aliyu Abubakar, and assisted by the Commander of the Scorpion Squad, ACP Victor Godfrey, was constituted with a mandate to track and dismantle the criminal gang.
Leveraging digital reconstructive intelligence and conducting coordinated operations across the FCT, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States, the team successfully apprehended twelve suspects and recovered a cache of weapons and other exhibits.
Recovered items include: One locally fabricated AK-47 rifle; One locally made pistol; One pump-action gun; Thirty-six live ammunition; Two live cartridges; Four mobile phones; Two knives; One cutlass; and One heavy flashlight.
The suspects arrested are:
Shamsudeen Hassan (male)
Hassan Isah (male, 22 years)
Abubakar Alkamu (alias Abba, male, 27 years)
Sani Sirajo (alias Dan Borume, male, 20 years) – gang driver
Mashkur Jamilu (alias Abba, male, 28 years)
Suleiman Badamasi (alias Dan Sule, male, 21 years) – provided vehicles for operations
Abdulsalam Saleh (alias Na-Durudu, male)
Zaharadeen Muhammad (alias Gwaska, male, 23 years)
Musa Adamu (alias Musa Hassan, male, 30 years)
Sumayya Mohammed (alias Baby, female, 27 years)
Isah Abdulrahman (alias Abbati, male, 25 years)
Musa Umar (alias Small, male, 31 years)
Police investigations revealed that all the suspects hail from Kaduna and Katsina States and procured their firearms from a supplier based in the Niger Republic. They have reportedly confessed to participating in multiple armed robbery operations across the FCT — including incidents at Katampe 1, a hotel in Apo, and another in Zuba.
Further findings confirmed that the fatal shot that killed the security guard, Mr. Danlami, was fired by Shamsudeen Hassan, one of the arrested suspects.
CP Adewale expressed deep condolences to the families and colleagues of the late journalist and the slain security guard, assuring that the Command remains committed to securing justice and dismantling criminal networks across the capital.
He commended the professionalism and dedication of the operatives who handled the investigation and reiterated the Command’s unwavering resolve to ensure the safety of all FCT residents.
“We will continue to pursue all criminal elements who threaten the peace and security of the FCT. Justice will be served,” the CP said.
The Command also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities through its emergency hotlines: 08032003913, 08028940883, or CRU FCT: 08107314192.
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