Police Arrest 12 Over Killing Of ARISE News Anchor In Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 12 members of a notorious armed robbery gang allegedly responsible for the killing of ARISE News anchor, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during a violent robbery at Unique Apartments in Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.

The incident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on 29 September 2025, prompting the FCT Commissioner of Police to order an immediate manhunt for the perpetrators.

Those arrested include Shamsudeen Hassan from Malumfashi, Katsina State; Hassan Isah, 22, from Zaria, Kaduna State; Abubakar Alkamu, also known as Abba, 27, from Musawa, Katsina State; Sani Sirajo, 20, from Malumfashi, Katsina State; Mashkur Jamilu, 28, from Igabi, Kaduna State; Suleiman Badamasi, also known as Dan-Sule, 21, from Malumfashi, Katsina State; Abdul Salam Saleh from Katsina State; Zaharadeen Muhammad, 23, from Chikun, Kaduna State; Musa Adamu, also known as Musa Hassan, 30, from Malumfashi, Katsina State; Sumayya Mohammed, also known as Baby, 27, from Sammaka, Kaduna State; Isah Abdulrahman, also known as Abbati, 25, from Zaria, Kaduna State; and Musa Umar, also known as Small, 31, from Borno State.

Police sources disclosed that four members of the gang, Hassan, Alkamu, Sirajo and another accomplice, were the first to be arrested after detectives traced mobile phones stolen from the victims. During interrogation, Hassan reportedly confessed to shooting the security guard, Barnabas Danlami, when he tried to resist the gang’s entry into the compound. Sirajo allegedly claimed he attempted to stop Sommie Maduagwu from falling from the third floor during the attack.

The suspects also admitted to stealing a white Honda CR-V belonging to one of the victims and sharing N200,000 each from the proceeds of the robbery.

Recovered items from the suspects include a fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a locally made pistol, a pump-action shotgun with two live cartridges, four mobile phones belonging to the victims, two sharp knives, a cutlass, and nine torchlights used during the operation.