By Peterside Rejoice, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested twelve suspects in connection with the armed robbery that led to the death of ARISE News staff, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard at Gishiri, Katampe Extension, Abuja.
The late journalist, who was a presenter with ARISE News, died after falling from the third floor of her apartment while attempting to escape the robbers who invaded her residence in the early hours of September 29, 2025. The security guard on duty was also shot dead by the assailants who carted away valuables, including phones, cash, and a white Honda CR-V.
According to the police, those arrested are Shamsudeen Hassan from Malumfashi Local Government Area (LGA) of 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.
The Command disclosed that the arrests were the result of coordinated intelligence operations that began with the tracking of mobile phones stolen from the apartment. Four members of the gang Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, and one other were initially apprehended through the phone signals, which led to the subsequent arrest of the remaining members of the gang.
During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan reportedly confessed to shooting the security guard when he tried to resist the robbers’ entry into the compound. Another suspect, Sani Sirajo, admitted that he attempted to stop Maduagwu from falling off the balcony but could not hold her due to her weight. Shamsudeen also confessed to driving the white Honda CR-V out of the premises after the operation.
Police said each of the suspects received ₦200,000 as their share from the proceeds of the crime. Recovered items include a fabricated AK-47 rifle, thirty-six rounds of live ammunition, a pump-action gun, a locally made pistol, two live cartridges, four mobile phones belonging to the victims, sharp knives, a cutlass, and nine torchlights used during the robbery.
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