The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has brought 11 suspects before a court over the k!lling of Arise News journalist, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during a deadly robbery at Unique Apartments in Katampe Extension, Abuja, on September 29, 2025
The suspects were arraigned on a nine-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder. Police said the attack happened around 3:30 a.m. when armed assailants allegedly went from one apartment to another, robbing residents of their belongings.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, said operatives moved into the area after a distress call was received.
“Policemen moved to the scene and found her lying unconscious. She was immediately taken to Maitama General Hospital, where doctors tried to resuscitate her using CPR, but sadly, she could not make it,” Adewale said.
Investigations showed that Maduagwu jumped from the third floor of her apartment while trying to escape the attackers. Danlami, who was on duty as a security guard, was reportedly shot during the robbery. Police identified one of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, as the person who allegedly fired the fatal shot.
Items recovered during the operation include a locally made AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, a pistol, 36 rounds of live ammunition, two cartridges, knives, a cutlass, nine torchlights, and four mobile phones belonging to the victims.
According to police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the suspects — all said to be from Kaduna and Katsina states — were arrested through coordinated operations carried out across the FCT, Nasarawa, and Kaduna states by a Special Investigation Team from the State Criminal Investigation Department.
She said investigators used digital reconstructive intelligence to track the gang, which was also linked to robbery attacks in Katampe 1, Apo, and Zuba.
“Preliminary investigations indicated the gang obtained their firearms from an as-yet-unidentified supplier in the Niger Republic,” Adeh said, adding that the arms dealer operates along the Nigeria–Niger border.
Those arraigned include Shamsu Hassan, Sani Sirajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, Suleiman Badamasi, Zaharadeen Mohammed, Musa Umar, also known as ‘Small’, Mashkur Jamil, Suleiman Sani, and Abubakar Usman.
Police noted that earlier statements referenced other suspects — Sumayya Mohammed, also known as ‘Baby’, Isah Abdulrahman, aka ‘Abbati’, and Musa Adamu, also known as ‘Musa Hassan’ — indicating that investigations are still ongoing and more arrests may be made.
The case has been adjourned until February 2026 for further hearing.
The police have urged residents of the FCT to remain alert and report suspicious activities through designated emergency lines, assuring the public that efforts are ongoing to ensure justice and improve public safety.
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Rest on Somto
Justice must be served
RIP Beautiful