THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested members of a suspected armed robbery gang allegedly involved in the tragic death of ARISE News staff member, Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, following a violent robbery at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.
News Point Nigeria reports that the harrowing incident occurred in the early hours of September 29, 2025, around 3:30 a.m., when armed robbers stormed the residential complex, terrorising occupants and carting away valuables.
According to police findings, Ms. Maduagwu, a rising television journalist with ARISE News, reportedly jumped from the third-floor balcony of her apartment in a desperate attempt to escape the attackers, sustaining fatal injuries. The security guard, Mr. Danlami, was shot dead after confronting the intruders.
Confirming the arrests on Thursday, the FCT Police Command said twelve suspects were apprehended following a meticulous intelligence-led operation carried out by the Scorpion Squad, under the leadership of ACP Victor Godfrey, and supported by digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC.
Among those arrested are:
Shamsudeen Hassan (male) from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
Hassan Isah, 22, from Zaria, Kaduna State
Sumayya Mohammed (a.k.a. Baby), 27, from Saminaka LGA, Kaduna State
Isah Abdulrahman (a.k.a. Abbati), 25, from Zaria, Kaduna State
Musa Umar (a.k.a. Small), 31, from Maiduguri, Borno State
The police said the arrests were made possible through tracking of stolen phones and other digital footprints left behind by the gang.
During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan reportedly confessed to shooting the security guard, Mr. Danlami, after he attempted to resist their entry into the building.
Another suspect, Sani Sirajo, told investigators that he tried to prevent Ms. Maduagwu from falling off the storey building, but was overpowered by her weight in the chaotic moment.
“Shamsudeen further confessed that he drove away the white Honda CR-V jeep belonging to one of the victims after the operation,” the police statement read.
The suspects also admitted that each of them received ₦200,000 as their share of the robbery proceeds.
Weapons and Stolen Items Recovered
The police recovered a large cache of weapons and stolen items during the operation, including:
One fabricated AK-47 rifle
Thirty-six (36) rounds of 9mm live ammunition
One locally made pistol
One pump-action gun
Two live cartridges
Four mobile phones belonging to victims
Two sharp knives, one cutlass, and nine torchlights used during the robbery.
The FCT Commissioner of Police commended the operatives for their professionalism and assured the public that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring justice for the victims.
“This Command remains resolute in dismantling criminal networks across the FCT and ensuring that residents live and work without fear,” the statement added.
Ms. Somtochukwu’s death sent shockwaves across the Nigerian media landscape, with colleagues and friends describing her as a brilliant, dedicated, and passionate journalist.
ARISE News, in a condolence message, described her as “a promising broadcaster whose future was cruelly cut short by the senseless act of violence.”
The suspects, now in police custody, are expected to be charged to court upon completion of investigations.