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Police Arrest 12 Suspects in Connection With the Murder of Arise News Staff and Security Guard in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced the arrest of twelve notorious armed robbers linked to the violent robbery and murder of Arise News journalist, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, at Unique Apartments in Gishiri village, Katampe District, Abuja, on September 29, 2025.


The arrest followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, to track down those responsible for the heinous crime. Acting on actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC, operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, launched a coordinated manhunt that led to the successful apprehension of the suspects across multiple states.


The arrested suspects include:


1. Shamsudeen Hassan (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)



2. Hassan Isah, 22 (Zaria, Kaduna State)



3. Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba, 27 (Musawa LGA, Katsina State)



4. Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume, 20 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)



5. Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba, 28 (Igabi LGA, Kaduna State)



6. Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule, 21 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)



7. Abdul Salam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu (Katsina LGA, Katsina State)



8. Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska, 23 (Chikun LGA, Kaduna State)



9. Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan, 30 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)



10. Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby, 27 (Sammaka LGA, Kaduna State)



11. Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati, 25 (Zaria LGA, Kaduna State)



12. Musa Umar a.k.a. Small, 31 (Maiduguri LGA, Borno State)



According to the police, four suspects—Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, and another accomplice—were initially arrested through the tracking of mobile phones stolen from the victims’ apartment.


During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed to shooting the security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, after he attempted to prevent the gang from entering the building. Sani Sirajo also admitted to struggling with Maduagwu as she attempted to escape, stating that he lost grip due to her weight, leading to her tragic fall from the three-storey building. Hassan further disclosed that he drove the stolen white Honda CR-V SUV from the crime scene.


Each of the arrested suspects reportedly received N200,000 from the proceeds of the robbery.


Recovered exhibits include:


One fabricated AK-47 rifle


Thirty-six rounds of 9mm live ammunition


One locally made pistol


One pump-action gun


Two live cartridges


Four mobile phones belonging to the victims


Two sharp knives and one cutlass


Nine torchlights used during the operation


Further investigation led to the arrest of additional members of the gang, including Musa Umar a.k.a. Small and Hassan Isah, who were intercepted en route to a planned robbery operation in Maitama, Abuja, on October 8, 2025.


All suspects are currently in police custody and have confessed to their involvement in the crime. The Commissioner of Police commended the swift action of the Scorpion Squad and assured that the Command will continue to pursue justice for the victims while ensuring the safety of residents.


The police confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as the case develops.

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