The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 12 suspected armed robbers connected to the tragic death of Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, a staff member of Arise News, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, at Unique Apartments in Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.
The arrests were made by the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, utilizing actionable digital and forensic intelligence from Giga Forensics. Among those arrested are individuals from various local government areas in Katsina and Kaduna States, including Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah, and Abubakar Alkamu.
The robbery occurred on September 29, 2025, around 3:30 a.m. During interrogations, it was revealed that Hassan confessed to fatally shooting the security guard when he attempted to prevent the robbery. Another suspect, Sani Sirajo, claimed he tried to stop Somtochukwu from falling off the three-storey building but was unable to do so.
The suspects reportedly shared ₦200,000 each from the proceeds of the robbery. Police recovered a fabricated AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, several rounds of ammunition, and mobile phones belonging to the victims among other items.
The investigation led to the initial arrests of four suspects after tracking the stolen phones, and further digital intelligence assisted in apprehending the remaining gang members on October 8, 2025, while they were allegedly planning another robbery in Maitama, Abuja.
All suspects have confessed to their involvement, and efforts are ongoing to capture any remaining members of the gang.
