The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has apprehended 12 suspected armed robbers linked to the death of Arise News staff member, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during a robbery operation in Abuja.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of September 29, 2025, at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, located in the Katampe District of the FCT.
According to Arise News, the arrests followed a coordinated operation led by the Scorpion Squad under the command of ACP Victor Godfrey, and were based on actionable intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC.
Confirming the development, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, ordered a thorough manhunt for the culprits immediately after the fatal attack. The suspects were subsequently tracked and arrested through what the police described as “digital and reconstructive intelligence.”
Police sources revealed that the arrested suspects include:
Shamsudeen Hassan (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State),
Hassan Isah, 22 (Zaria, Kaduna State),
Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba, 27 (Musawa LGA, Katsina State),
Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume, 20 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State),
Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba, 28 (Igabi LGA, Kaduna State),
Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule, 21 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State),
Abdul Salam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu (Katsina LGA, Katsina State),
Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska, 23 (Chikun LGA, Kaduna State),
Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan, 30 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State),
Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby, 27 (Sammaka LGA, Kaduna State),
Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati, 25 (Zaria LGA, Kaduna State), and
Musa Umar a.k.a. Small, 31 (Maiduguri LGA, Borno State).
Speaking on the arrests, an officer familiar with the investigation said,
“The breakthrough came after we analyzed digital footprints and reconstructive evidence provided by forensic experts. These efforts helped us trace the suspects’ movements and link them to the crime scene.”
While confirming the arrests, Arise News expressed appreciation to the FCT Police Command for the swift action and urged the authorities to ensure that justice is served.
“We commend the police for their commitment to pursuing this case and call for a thorough prosecution to bring closure to Somtochukwu’s family and colleagues,” the station stated in its report.
The FCT Police Command has assured that investigations are ongoing and promised to release further details as the suspects undergo interrogation.
