The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has apprehended 12 individuals suspected of involvement in the fatal armed robbery that resulted in the deaths of Arise TV staff member Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu and security guard Barnabas Danlami. The incident occurred on September 29, 2025, at approximately 3:30 am, during a robbery at Unique Apartment in Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.
The arrests were made following a directive from President Bola Tinubu to security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killings. Operatives from the Scorpion Squad, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Victor O. Godfrey, utilized digital and reconstructive intelligence to track down the suspects.
The suspects, who hail from various states including Katsina, Kaduna, and Borno, have been identified as Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, Mashkur Jamili, Suleiman Badamasi, Abdulsalam Saleh, Zaharadeen Muhammad, Musa Adamu, Sumayya Mohammed, Isah Abdulrahman, and Musa Umar. According to police sources, four of the suspects were initially apprehended shortly after the incident and confessed to their roles in the crime.
Shamsudeen Hassan allegedly admitted to shooting the security guard, while Sani Sirajo claimed he attempted to hold Maduagwu as she fell from the third floor. The suspects reportedly shared N200,000 each from the proceeds of the robbery, which also included the theft of a white Honda CR-V. Recovered items from the gang include a fabricated AK-47 rifle, live ammunition, a locally-made pistol, and various other weapons and tools.
Further arrests were made on October 8, 2025, when operatives intercepted three gang members planning another robbery in Maitama. The FCT Commissioner of Police has commended the Scorpion Squad for their swift action and assured residents that the Command will continue to target violent crime in the territory. All 12 suspects are currently in custody and have confessed to the crimes. The successful apprehension of the suspects reinforces the commitment of law enforcement agencies to address and prevent violent crime in the region.