The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully apprehended 12 members of a notorious armed robbery gang, linking them to the brutal killing of ARISE News Anchor Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, fondly known as Sommie, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami. The deadly incident occurred during a robbery at Unique Apartments, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja, on September 29, 2025.

The arrests followed a stringent directive from the Commissioner of Police, FCT, to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. The robbery, which took place around 3:30 a.m., saw approximately 14 armed robbers invade the residential complex. Initial reports suggested a direct attack on Ms. Maduagwu, but subsequent police clarifications revealed she tragically died after attempting to escape by jumping from her third-story apartment window, sustaining severe injuries. Mr. Danlami, the security guard, was reportedly shot while trying to prevent the gang from entering the compound.

The meticulous investigation was spearheaded by the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey. Operatives leveraged critical digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC. This advanced forensic support enabled the police to track and apprehend the suspects across various locations in northern Nigeria.

Among the 12 individuals arrested are: Shamsudeen Hassan from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State; 22-year-old Hassan Isah from Zaria, Kaduna State; 27-year-old Abubakar Alkamu, also known as Abba, from Musawa LGA, Katsina State; 20-year-old Sani Sirajo, alias Dan Borume, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State; 28-year-old Mashkur Jamilu, known as Abba, from Igabi LGA, Kaduna State; 21-year-old Suleiman Badamasi, or Dan-Sule, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State; Abdul Salam Saleh, also called Na-Durudu, from Katsina LGA, Katsina State; 23-year-old Zaharadeen Muhammad, alias Gwaska, from Chikun LGA, Kaduna State; 30-year-old Musa Adamu, known as Musa Hassan, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State; 27-year-old Sumayya Mohammed, alias Baby, from Saminaka LGA, Kaduna State; 25-year-old Isah Abdulrahman, known as Abbati, from Zaria LGA, Kaduna State; and 31-year-old Musa Umar, or Small, from Maiduguri LGA, Borno State.

During interrogation, several suspects confessed their roles in the crime. Shamsudeen Hassan admitted to shooting security guard Barnabas Danlami. Sani Sirajo claimed he attempted to restrain Ms. Maduagwu from falling during her escape attempt but was overpowered. The gang also confessed to stealing a white Honda CR-V belonging to one of the victims and subsequently sharing N200,000 each from the proceeds of the crime. All 12 arrested individuals have admitted to their involvement in the Gishiri robbery and multiple other armed robberies across the FCT.

The police have recovered significant exhibits from the suspects, including one fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, one locally made pistol, one pump-action shotgun, and two live cartridges. Other items recovered include four mobile phones belonging to the victims, two sharp knives, one cutlass, and nine torchlights used during the operation. Authorities have also secured visual evidence, including a video of an AK-47 rifle recovered near Zuma Rock, as part of the ongoing investigation.

Further arrests were made on October 8, 2025, when operatives intercepted Musa Umar (Small), Hassan Isah, and other gang members while they were reportedly en route to carry out another planned armed robbery in Maitama, Abuja. Investigations are still ongoing to apprehend the remaining fleeing members of the gang and recover additional weapons. Authorities have opted to withhold photographs of the suspects pending the arrest of all accomplices.

The FCT Police Command has assured the public that full justice will be pursued for the slain journalist and security guard. The Commissioner of Police lauded the Scorpion Squad and their intelligence partners for their exemplary display of professionalism and technological precision in bringing these suspects to book.