FCT Police Nab Killers of Arise TV Staff in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested twelve notorious armed robbers allegedly responsible for the gruesome murder of an Arise TV staff, Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, during a robbery attack at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.
The arrest followed a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to security agencies to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
According to findings, the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey, through actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence. The operation was launched under the instruction of the FCT Commissioner of Police.
The deadly robbery occurred on September 29, 2025, at about 3:30 a.m., when the victims were killed in cold blood.
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The suspects were identified as Shamsudeen Hassan from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State; Hassan Isah, 22, from Zaria, Kaduna State; Abubakar Alkamu (alias Abba), 27, from Musawa LGA, Katsina State; Sani Sirajo (alias Dan Borume), 20, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State; Mashkur Jamili (alias Abba), 28, from Igabi LGA, Kaduna State; Suleiman Badamasi (alias Dan-Sule), 21, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State; Abdulsalam Saleh (alias Na-Durudu), from Katsina LGA, Katsina State; Zaharadeen Muhammad (alias Gwaska), 23, from Chikun LGA, Kaduna State; Musa Adamu (alias Musa Hassan), 30, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State; Sumayya Mohammed (alias Baby), 27, from Sammaka LGA, Kaduna State; Isah Abdulrahman (alias Abbati), 25, from Zaria LGA, Kaduna State; and Musa Umar (alias Small), 31, from Maiduguri LGA, Borno State.
Police sources revealed that four of the suspects—Shamsudeen, Hassan, Alkamu, and Sirajo—were initially arrested shortly after the robbery and confessed to their roles in the attack.
During interrogation, Shamsudeen admitted to shooting the security guard, Mr. Danlami, when he tried to stop the gang from entering the premises. Sirajo also confessed that he attempted to hold Ms. Maduagwu as she fell from the third floor but could not support her weight. Shamsudeen further disclosed that he fled the scene with the victims’ white Honda CR-V, and each member received ₦200,000 from the robbery proceeds.
Recovered exhibits from the gang 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, two sharp knives, one cutlass, and nine torchlights used during the operation.
Further arrests were made on October 8, when police operatives, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted three members of the syndicate—including Musa Umar and Hassan Isah—while en route to another planned robbery operation in Maitama.
All suspects are currently in police custody and have reportedly confessed to the crimes.
The Commissioner of Police commended the Scorpion Squad for their swift and coordinated operation, assuring residents that the Command remains resolute in its mission to rid the FCT of violent criminal elements.
By PRNigeria
