FCT Police Smash Deadly Robbery Syndicate Behind Murder of Arise News Staff, Somtochukwu Maduagwu and Security Guard in Katampe

…12 Suspects Arrested, Recovered AK-47, Ammunition, Victims’ Phones and Weapons; Gang Linked to Another Planned Operation in Maitama

In a major security breakthrough, operatives of the Scorpion Squad under the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have successfully arrested twelve (12) suspected armed robbers allegedly responsible for the gruesome murder of Arise News staff, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during a robbery at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja, on September 29, 2025, at about 3:30 a.m.

The arrests followed a directive from the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, mandating a full-scale manhunt for the perpetrators of the heinous crime. Acting swiftly on digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC, the Scorpion Squad led by ACP Victor Godfrey tracked, intercepted, and apprehended the suspects in coordinated operations across the FCT and neighboring states.

The twelve arrested suspects, all reportedly part of a coordinated interstate robbery network, include:

1. Shamsudeen Hassan, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State

2. Hassan Isah, 22, from Zaria, Kaduna State

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shortly after the fatal robbery, investigators utilized advanced tracking technology to trace mobile phones stolen from the victims to four suspects — Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, and another gang member leading to their arrest.

During interrogation, Shamsudeen confessed to shooting the security guard, Barnabas Danlami, when he attempted to block their entry into the building. Another suspect, Sani Sirajo, admitted trying to restrain Somtochukwu Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building during the chaos but failed.

Further revelations indicated that Shamsudeen drove away the victims’ white Honda CR-V after the robbery, and that each of the four suspects initially arrested received ₦200,000 as their share from the proceeds of the operation.

The police recovered a deadly cache of weapons and stolen items during the raids, including:

One (1) fabricated AK-47 rifle

Thirty-six (36) rounds of 9mm live ammunition

One (1) locally made pistol

One (1) pump-action gun

Two (2) live cartridges

Four (4) mobile phones belonging to the victims

Two (2) sharp knives and one (1) cutlass

Nine (9) torchlights used during the operation

Continuing the investigation, operatives acting on another digital intelligence tip-off intercepted the remaining members of the gang — Musa Umar (a.k.a. Small), Hassan Isah, and others on October 8, 2025, as they prepared for another planned armed robbery operation in Maitama.

All suspects have confessed to their roles in the crime. The police say investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining fleeing members of the syndicate.

The EIB Stratoc investigative team confirmed that digital evidence led to the recovery of one of the AK-47 rifles at Zuma Rock, with attached video footage and detailed analysis being reviewed as part of the case documentation.

Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command has assured the public that justice will be served for the victims, while photographs of the arrested suspects are being withheld to protect ongoing intelligence operations and ensure the capture of other accomplices still at large.