Somtochukwu Maduagwu: Police Arrest Suspects in Robbery That Claimed Life of Arise TV Reporter | CCTV Released
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended twelve suspected armed robbers believed to be behind the gruesome killing of Ms. Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a reporter and producer with ARISE News, and Mr. Barnabas Danlami, a security guard, during a violent robbery at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja, on September 29, 2025.
PulseNets learnt that the arrest followed an intensive and well-coordinated operation led by the FCT Commissioner of Police, aimed at dismantling a gang that had terrorized several parts of the city.
In a statement obtained by PulseNets, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed the identities of the suspects as:
Shamsudeen Hassan (m), Hassan Isah (m, 22), Abubakar Alkamu (aka Abba, m, 27), Sani Sirajo (aka Dan Borume, m, 20) — identified as the gang’s driver — Mashkur Jamilu (aka Abba, m, 28), Suleiman Badamasi (aka Dan Sule, m, 21) — who allegedly provided vehicles for the operations — Abdulsalam Saleh (aka Na-Durudu, m), Zaharadeen Muhammad (aka Gwaska, m, 23), Musa Adamu (aka Musa Hassan, m, 30), Sumayya Mohammed (aka Baby, f, 27), Isah Abdulrahman (aka Abbati, m, 25), and Musa Umar (aka Small, m, 31).
Adeh told PulseNets that all twelve suspects hail from Kaduna and Katsina States, and that investigations have established a network linked to illegal arms suppliers across the northern border.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the gang sourced their weapons from a yet-to-be-identified supplier in Niger Republic. They have also confessed to participating in other robbery attacks at Katampe 1, a hotel in Apo, and another in Zuba,” Adeh stated.
PulseNets further learnt that one of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, fired the fatal shot that killed Mr. Barnabas Danlami, while Ms. Maduagwu was reportedly shot during a struggle as the gang attempted to seize her mobile phone and laptop.
“The forensic analysis and ballistic report confirmed that the bullet that struck the victims came from the gang’s locally fabricated AK-47 rifle,” a top police source told PulseNets.
Items recovered from the suspects include one locally made AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated pistol, one pump-action gun, 36 rounds of live ammunition, two live cartridges, four mobile phones, two knives, one cutlass, and a heavy-duty flashlight.
The FCT Command has also released CCTV footage showing one of the suspects entering the premises shortly before the deadly attack. Police said the video will assist in identifying possible accomplices who may still be at large.
Also Read: ARISE TV Anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu Killed in Abuja Armed Robbery
SP Adeh assured that the Command remains committed to bringing all culprits to justice, stressing that:
“This is a clear message to criminal gangs across the capital that the FCT will never be a safe haven for violent crime.”
PulseNets reports that the suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Watch Video:
