The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested twelve (12) notorious armed robbers responsible for the robbery and murder of Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, a staff of Arise News, and Mr. Barnabas Danlami, a security guard, at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.
The tragic incident occurred on September 29, 2025, at about 3:30 a.m., when the assailants invaded the apartment, robbing residents and killing the two victims.
Following the directive of the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, to track down those responsible, operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, acting on actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC, successfully apprehended the suspects.
Those arrested include:
- Shamsudeen Hassan, Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
- Hassan Isah, 22, Zaria, Kaduna State
- Abubakar Alkamu (aka Abba), 27, Musawa LGA, Katsina State
- Sani Sirajo (aka Dan Borume), 20, Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
- Mashkur Jamilu (aka Abba), 28, Igabi LGA, Kaduna State
- Suleiman Badamasi (aka Dan-Sule), 21, Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
- Abdul Salam Saleh (aka Na-Durudu), Katsina LGA, Katsina State
- Zaharadeen Muhammad (aka Gwaska), 23, Chikun LGA, Kaduna State
- Musa Adamu (aka Musa Hassan), 30, Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
- Sumayya Mohammed (aka Baby), 27, Saminaka LGA, Kaduna State
- Isah Abdulrahman (aka Abbati), 25, Zaria LGA, Kaduna State
- Musa Umar (aka Small), 31, Maiduguri LGA, Borno State
According to police investigations, four of the suspects — Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, and another gang member — were initially arrested through digital tracking of mobile phones stolen from the victims during the robbery.
During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed to shooting the security guard, Mr. Danlami, when he tried to prevent their entry into the compound. Sani Sirajo also confessed that he attempted to restrain Ms. Maduagwu as she struggled, but she tragically fell from the third floor of the building. The suspects further admitted to selling stolen valuables and sharing ₦200,000 each as their share from the proceeds of the crime.
Recovered exhibits from the suspects include:
- One (1) fabricated AK-47 rifle
- Thirty-six (36) rounds of 9mm live ammunition
- One (1) locally made pistol
- One (1) pump-action gun
- Two (2) live cartridges
- Four (4) mobile phones belonging to the victims
- Two (2) sharp knives
- One (1) cutlass
- Nine (9) torchlights used during the operation
Further arrests were made on October 8, 2025, after operatives intercepted other members of the gang — including Musa Umar (aka Small) and Hassan Isah — who were en route to another planned robbery operation in Maitama, Abuja.
All suspects have reportedly confessed to the crimes. The FCT Police Command said investigations are ongoing, with efforts intensified to arrest the remaining fleeing members of the gang.
Images of the suspects have been withheld to avoid compromising ongoing operations.
Recovered exhibits and a video showing the recovery of one of the AK-47 rifles at Zuma Rock have also been secured as part of evidence.