By Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 12 notorious armed robbers believed to be responsible for the brutal killing of an Arise TV staff, Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, during a robbery incident at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.
The arrest followed the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to security agencies to fish out the killers.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the suspects, arrested by operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey, were tracked through actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence, following a directive by the Commissioner of Police, FCT.
The robbery occurred on Sept. 29, 2025, at about 3:30 a.m., during which the victims were murdered in cold blood.
The arrested suspects included: Shamsudeen Hassan, from Malumfashi LGA, 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 Jamili (a.k.a. Abba), 28, from Igabi LGA, Kaduna State; Suleiman Badamasi (a.k.a. Dan-Sule), 21, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State; Abdulsalam 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.
Police sources said four of the suspects Shamsudeen, Hassan, Alkamu and Sirajo, were initially apprehended shortly after the robbery and confessed to their involvement.
During interrogation, Shamsudeen admitted shooting the security guard, Barnabas Danlami, when he tried to stop them from entering the premises, while Sirajo confessed that he tried to hold Maduagwu as she fell from the third floor but was overwhelmed by her weight.
Shamsudeen further confessed that he drove away the victims’ white Honda CR-V after the operation.
The suspects revealed that they each received ₦200,000 from the proceeds of the crime.
Recovered exhibits from the gang included: one fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, one locally-made pistol, one pump-action gun, two live cartridges, four mobile phones, two sharp knives, one cutlass, and nine torch lights, used during the operation.
The police said further arrests were made on Oct. 8th, when operatives acting on intelligence, intercepted three of the gang members, including Musa Umar and Hassan Isah, while on their way to another planned armed robbery operation in Maitama.
All the suspects are in custody, and have reportedly confessed to the crimes.
Sources said the CP commended the Scorpion Squad for their swift action and assured residents that the command would sustain its aggressive operations to rid the FCT of violent criminals.
