FCT Police Arrest 12 Armed Robbers Behind Murder of Arise TV Staff and Security Guard

Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen

 The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully apprehended twelve armed robbers involved in the deadly September 29, 2025, robbery at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, which claimed the lives of Arise TV staff Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu and security guard Barnabas Danlami.

The operation, directed by the Commissioner of Police, FCT, was carried out by operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, following actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC.

The arrested suspects include:

1. Shamsudeen Hassan ‘m’, Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State

2. Hassan Isah ‘m’, Zaria, Kaduna State

3. Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba ‘m’, Musawa LGA, Katsina State

4. Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume ‘m’, Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State

5. Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba ‘m’, Igabi LGA, Kaduna State

6. Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule ‘m’, Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State

7. Abdul Salam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu ‘m’, Katsina LGA, Katsina State

8. Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska ‘m’, Chikun LGA, Kaduna State

9. Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan ‘m’, Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State

10. Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby ‘m’, Sammaka LGA, Kaduna State

11. Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati ‘m’, Zaria LGA, Kaduna State

12. Musa Umar a.k.a. Small ‘m’, Maiduguri LGA, Borno State

Initial arrests of four suspects—including Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, and Sani Sirajo—were made shortly after the robbery through phone tracking and intercepts of stolen devices. During interrogations, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed to shooting the security guard, while Sani Sirajo admitted attempting to prevent Maduagwu from falling from the three-storey building but was unable to hold her. The suspects also disclosed that each received ₦200,000 from the robbery proceeds.

Recovered items include:

• One fabricated AK-47 rifle

• Thirty-six 9mm live rounds

• One locally made pistol

• One pump-action gun

• Two live cartridges

• Four mobile phones belonging to the victims

• Two sharp knives

• One cutlass

• Nine torchlights used during the operation

In a follow-up operation on 08/10/2025, remaining members of the gang, including Musa Umar and Hassan Isah, were intercepted en route to a planned armed robbery in Maitama. All suspects have confessed, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities have redacted suspects’ photos to aid in apprehending fleeing members.

Recovered exhibits and footage of the AK-47 rifle recovery at Zuma Rock have been secured by police as part of continuing investigations.

The FCT Police Command has assured the public that it remains committed to combating violent crimes and bringing perpetrators of such heinous acts to justice.

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