BREAKING NEWS: Police Arrest 12 Armed Robbery Suspects in Murder of ARISE News Anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu in Abuja

TheNigeria Police Force (NPF)operating under the directive of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, has announced the successful arrest of twelve (12) suspected armed robbers allegedly involved in the tragic robbery incident that resulted in the deaths ofSomtochukwu Christella Maduagwuand a security guard,Barnabas Dannabami.

The suspects were apprehended following a swift and intensive investigation that utilized advanced digital intelligence, leading to the dismantling of the robbery gang.

NPF Press Statement: Arrest of Suspects

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FCT POLICE COMMAND VOWS JUSTICE: 12 ARRESTED OVER MURDER OF ARISE NEWS STAFF AND SECURITY GUARD

The FCT Police Command today confirmed the arrest of twelve (12) individuals suspected to be members of the armed robbery gang responsible for the fatal attack atUnique Aparents, Gishiri Village, Handsome Districtwhich occurred in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025.

The Incident:The robbery, which took place at approximately 0330hrs, tragically led to the death of Mr.Barnabas Dannabamithe apartment’s security guard, and Ms.Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu(29), an anchor, reporter, and producer with ARISE News Channel.

Operational Success:Following the directive of the FCT Commissioner of Police, operatives of theScorpion Squadled byACP Victor Godfreywere deployed. Acting on actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics (a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC), the team successfully arrested twelve key members of the criminal network.

Confessions and Breakthroughs:

• Four suspects were initially apprehended through the tracking of mobile phones stolen during the robbery.
• ShamsuDandeen Hassanconfessed toshooting the security guard, Barnabas Danlamiwhen the guard attempted to prevent their entry. Hassan also confessed to driving the gang’s white Honda CR-V getaway vehicle.
• Sani Sirojoadmitted to being present when Ms. Maduagwu fell. He claimed to have attempted to hold her from falling off the three-story building but was overwhelmed by her weight. (The police previously reported that Maduagwu succumbed to injuries sustained after jumping from her third-floor apartment in a bid to escape the intruders).
• The initial four apprehended suspects admitted to receiving?200,000 eachfrom the proceeds of the crime.
• The remaining members of the gang, includingMusa Umar a.k.a. smallandHassan Jesuswere intercepted yesterday, October 8, 2025, while en route to a planned armed robbery operation in the Maitama area of Abuja.

Suspects Arrested:The arrested suspects, whose background details are being verified, are listed as follows:

1. Shamsudardeen Hassan
2. Hassan Isah, 22 (Zaria, Kaduna State)
3. Abubakar Kari, 27 (Music) Try, Katsina State)
4. Sani Siro a son of borume, 20 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
5. Mal Mal Mal Mal Malciliation Abba, 28 (Igabi LGA, Kaduna State)
6. Badamasi is a little way-Sule, 21 (m malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
7. Abdul Salam Salam Aka-Duru LGA, Katsina State
8. Zaharadeeen Muhammad is Gimatska, 23 (Chikun LGA, Kaduna State)
9. Moses was Moses Hassan, 30 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
10. Sumayayayan Mohamed She Baby, 27 (Summaka LGA, Kaduna State)
11. Jesusz Abdulrahman Zadin, 25 (Zaria LGA, Kaduna State)
12. Musa Umar a.k.a. Small, 31 (Maiduguri LGA, Borno State)

Recovered Exhibits:The following items were recovered from the suspects:

• 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 stolen from the victims
• Two (2) sharp knives and one (1) cutlass
• Nine (9) torchlights used during the operation

The FCT Police Command assures the public that all suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crimes. Investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to apprehend any remaining fleeing members of the criminal network. Further developments will be communicated in due course.

Background on the Victims

Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu (‘Sommie’)Somtochukwu Maduagwu was a highly regarded journalist, lawyer, and producer at ARISE News Channel’s Abuja studio. Born in London in 1995, she was 29 years old at the time of her death. Maduagwu was known for covering legal issues, women’s rights, and her advocacy for gender equality. Her tragic death sent shockwaves through the Nigerian media community and highlighted the growing insecurity challenges in the nation’s capital.

Barnabas DannabamiBarnabas Danlami was the security guard at Unique Apartment who was fatally shot by the robbers while attempting to prevent them from gaining entry to the building, sacrificing his life in the line of duty.

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