Somtochukwu Maduagwu: FCT Police arrest 12 suspects over murder of Arise TV staff, Security Guard in Abuja Robbery

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 12 suspected armed robbers in connection with the killing of Arise TV staff member, Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, during a violent robbery attack at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.

The arrests came after President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to track down and apprehend those responsible for the killings that shocked the nation.

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According to a report by counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey, following an intensive operation based on digital and reconstructive intelligence.

The tragic incident occurred on September 29, 2025, around 3:30 a.m., when the robbers invaded the victims’ residence, killing Maduagwu and Danlami.

How the Suspects Were Caught

The police identified the 12 suspects as: Shamsudeen Hassan, (Malumfashi, Katsina State), Hassan Isah, 22 (Zaria, Kaduna State), Abubakar Alkamu, 27 (Musawa, Katsina State), Sani Sirajo, 20 (Malumfashi, Katsina State), Mashkur Jamili, 28 (Igabi, Kaduna State), Suleiman Badamasi, 21 (Malumfashi, Katsina State), Abdulsalam Saleh (Katsina LGA, Katsina State), Zaharadeen Muhammad, 23 (Chikun, Kaduna State), Musa Adamu, 30 (Malumfashi, Katsina State), Sumayya Mohammed, 27 (Sammaka, Kaduna State), Isah Abdulrahman, 25 (Zaria, Kaduna State), and Musa Umar, 31 (Maiduguri, Borno State).

Police sources revealed that four suspects, Shamsudeen, Hassan, Alkamu, and Sirajo, were initially apprehended shortly after the robbery and reportedly confessed to their involvement.

Shamsudeen allegedly admitted to shooting the security guard, while Sirajo claimed he tried to grab Maduagwu as she fell from the third floor during the attack.

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The suspects also confessed to stealing the victims’ white Honda CR-V and sharing ₦200,000 each from the proceeds of the robbery.

Weapons and Items Recovered

Recovered from the gang were: One fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of live ammunition, One locally-made pistol, One pump-action gun, Two cartridges, Four mobile phones, Two knives, A cutlass and Nine torchlights

Police operatives further arrested additional suspects on October 8, 2025, after intercepting three members, including Musa Umar and Hassan Isah, who were allegedly planning another robbery operation in Maitama.

Police Commendation and Assurance

The FCT Commissioner of Police commended the Scorpion Squad for their swift and decisive action, assuring residents that the Command would intensify its crackdown on violent crime across the capital.

“The Command remains committed to ensuring that those behind heinous crimes in the FCT are brought to justice,” the Commissioner said, pledging continued intelligence-led operations to safeguard lives and property.