As plans continue for the burial of murdered ARISE News Anchor and producer, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, in a few days time, the police have made a breakthrough. Operatives of the FCT Police Command have arrested 12 members of a notorious armed robbery gang responsible for the violent attack that led to her death and that of a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami. The deadly incident occurred in the early hours of September 29, 2025, at Unique Apartments, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.
According to security sources, the arrests followed an intensive intelligence-led operation ordered by the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, and executed by a special team under an assistant commissioner of police.
Somtochukwu and Barnabas, a security personnel guarding the residence, lost their lives during the 3:30 AM attack. Investigators revealed that Mr. Danlami was fatally shot while attempting to stop the robbers from breaching the compound, while Ms. Maduagwu tragically fell from a three-storey balcony in an attempt to escape the assailants.
Four of the suspects, it was gathered, were first tracked and arrested shortly after the incident. They were found in possession of mobile phones stolen during the robbery. Interrogation led to chilling confessions:
Shamsudeen Hassan, one of the key suspects, admitted to shooting the security guard.
Sani Sirajo stated he tried to prevent Ms. Maduagwu from falling but was “overwhelmed by her weight.”
The suspects also disclosed that they each received ₦200,000 from the loot and drove away in the victim’s white Honda CR-V.
The suspects arrested are:
Shamsudeen Hassan (Katsina)
Hassan Isah (Kaduna)
Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba (Katsina)
Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume (Katsina)
Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba (Kaduna)
Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule (Katsina)
Abdul Salam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu (Katsina)
Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska (Kaduna)
Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan (Katsina)
Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby (Kaduna)
Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati (Kaduna)
Musa Umar a.k.a. Small (Borno).
Weapons and stolen items recovered, according to sources, included:
1 fabricated AK-47 rifle
1 locally made pistol
1 pump-action shotgun
36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition
2 live cartridges
4 mobile phones belonging to the victims
2 sharp knives, 1 cutlass
9 torchlights used during the robbery
Second Operation Thwarted
It was gathered after the four suspects arrested, the police intercepted remaining gang members while they were en route to carry out another planned armed robbery in Maitama, Abuja. The suspects were apprehended before the attack could take place.
All 12 suspects are currently in custody and have reportedly confessed to their roles in the crime. Investigations are ongoing, and police say additional arrests may follow as they track down remaining fugitives linked to the Gishiri incident.
Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, police have not yet released photographs of the suspects.
The murders of Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu and Mr. Barnabas Danlami have sparked widespread outrage and mourning across the country. Journalists, human rights advocates, and members of the public have called for swift justice and increased protection for residents in the capital.
- This is a developing story. More updates will follow as police continue their investigation.
