The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced the arrest of twelve suspects in connection with the armed robbery incident that tragically led to the deaths of Arise News anchor, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. on September 29 at Unique Apartments, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.

Following a directive from the FCT Commissioner of Police to apprehend those responsible, operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, initiated a thorough investigation. Leveraging actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC, the police successfully tracked and arrested the suspects in various locations across the FCT and neighboring states. Initial arrests of four suspects were made after tracking the victims' stolen mobile phones.

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

During interrogation, key confessions emerged regarding the events of that fateful morning. Shamsudeen Hassan confessed to shooting the security guard, Barnabas Danlami, when he attempted to prevent the gang from gaining access to the building. Another suspect, Sani Sirajo, admitted to struggling with Ms. Maduagwu, stating he tried to prevent her from falling off the three-storey building but was ultimately overwhelmed by her weight. Ms. Maduagwu, popularly known as Sommie, was said to have jumped or fallen during the invasion.

The police statement further disclosed that the gang sold some of the stolen items, with each member reportedly receiving ₦200,000 from the proceeds of the crime. Shamsudeen Hassan also confessed to driving a white Honda CR-V jeep out of the apartment after the operation. Recovered exhibits from the suspects include one fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, one locally made pistol, one 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.

In a subsequent development, the command stated that on October 8, operatives intercepted additional members of the gang, including Musa Umar and Hassan Isah, while they were allegedly en route to commit another planned robbery in Maitama, Abuja. All twelve arrested suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crimes. The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be communicated as they emerge. The police have decided to withhold photographs of the arrested suspects to avoid compromising ongoing efforts to apprehend other fleeing accomplices.