Twelve Suspects Linked to ARISE News Anchor’s Death Arrested in Abuja Robbery

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed the arrest of twelve suspected armed robbers in connection with the tragic death of ARISE News anchor, Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami. The incident occurred during a robbery at Unique Apartment in Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja, around 3:30 a.m. on September 29, 2025.

According to police reports, Ms. Maduagwu died after jumping from the balcony of her third-floor apartment in a desperate attempt to escape the intruders, while the security guard was shot while trying to stop the robbers from gaining entry.

The suspects, identified as Shamsudeen Hassan from Malumfashi, Katsina State; Hassan Isah, 22, from Zaria, Kaduna State; Abubakar Alkamu (aka Abba), 27, from Musawa, Katsina State; Sani Sirajo (aka Dan Borume), 20, from Malumfashi, Katsina State; Mashkur Jamilu (aka Abba), 28, from Igabi, Kaduna State; Suleiman Badamasi (aka Dan-Sule), 21, from Malumfashi, Katsina State; Abdul Salam Saleh (aka Na-Durudu) from Katsina; Zaharadeen Muhammad (aka Gwaska), 23, from Chikun, Kaduna State; Musa Adamu (aka Musa Hassan), 30, from Malumfashi, Katsina State; Sumayya Mohammed (aka Baby), 27, from Sammaka, Kaduna State; Isah Abdulrahman (aka Abbati), 25, from Zaria, Kaduna State; and Musa Umar (aka Small), 31, from Maiduguri, Borno State, were apprehended following a coordinated operation.

The police revealed that four suspects were initially tracked and arrested through mobile phones stolen from the victims, leading to the capture of the remaining gang members. One of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, confessed to shooting the security guard, while another, Sani Sirajo, admitted he tried but failed to prevent Ms. Maduagwu from falling from the building.

Police operatives from the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, executed the arrests based on digital intelligence from Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC. The suspects reportedly shared ₦200,000 each from the proceeds of the robbery.

Recovered items from the suspects include one fabricated AK-47 rifle, thirty-six rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a locally made pistol, a pump-action gun, two live cartridges, four mobile phones belonging to the victims, two sharp knives, one cutlass, and nine torchlights used during the operation.

The FCT Police Command said investigations are ongoing to ensure all accomplices are brought to justice.