NIGERIA: Police Arrest 12 Suspects Over Killing Of Journalist, Guard In Abuja Robbery

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested twelve suspects in connection with the armed robbery incident that claimed the lives of a journalist with Arise News, Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this on Saturday, during a press briefing held at the FCT Police Command Headquarters, Garki, Abuja.

He said the arrests followed a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation launched immediately after the attack on September 29, 2025.

According to Adejobi, the operation led to the apprehension of twelve suspects identified as:

Shamsudeen Hassan; Hassan Isah (22); Abubakar AlKamu a.k.a. Abba (27); Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume (20); Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba (28); Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule (21); Abdulsalam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu; Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska (23); Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan (30); Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby (27); Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati (25); and Musa Umar a.k.a. Small (31).

Exhibits recovered from the suspects included one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, one locally made pistol, one pump-action gun, thirty-six live rounds of 9mm ammunition, two live cartridges, four mobile phones, two sharp knives, one cutlass, and two flashlights.

Adejobi explained that investigations revealed that the fatal shot that killed Mr. Danlami was fired by Shamsudeen Hassan when the security guard attempted to stop the robbers from entering the apartment complex. He added that the suspects sourced their firearms from a yet-to-be-identified supplier in Niger Republic and were involved in several other armed robberies across Katampe I, Apo, Zuba, and other parts of the FCT.

“The Nigeria Police Force extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu and Mr. Barnabas Danlami, assuring that justice will be pursued to its logical conclusion,” Adejobi stated.

He lauded the professionalism and dedication of operatives of the FCT Police Command, whose efforts led to the arrests, and assured that investigations are ongoing to apprehend all accomplices linked to the crime.

The Force spokesperson urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible information to aid in crime prevention and detection, reaffirming the police’s commitment to ensuring justice and safety for all citizens.