Nigeria Police Parade 12 Suspected Armed Robbers Connected to Killing of Arise TV Journalist and One Other

By Barth Ikiebe

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The tragic killings of the duo of Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, a journalist with ARISE News, and Barnabas Danlami, a security guard at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, in Abuja, resonated with the parade of 12 suspected armed robbers that allegedly committed the dastardly act.
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‎The grievous incident took place on September 29, 2025, during which the underworld men invaded the apartment, and left throes of pains and anguish.
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‎Police investigation revealed that the security guard was brutally shot by one of the suspects, identified as Shamsudeen Hassan, for acting as a cog in the wheel of their operation – attempting to prevent the gang from gaining access to the apartment complex.
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‎Parading the suspects at the FCT Police Command Headquarters, Garki, Abuja, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the syndicate had been linked to series of armed robbery operations across Katampe I, Apo, Zuba, and other parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
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‎The FPRO said the arrests were sequel to a coordinated, intelligence-driven investigation launched immediately after the incident.
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‎According to him, investigation revealed that the suspects sourced their weapons from a supplier in the Niger Republic, and that efforts were ongoing to nab the transnational arms supplier, as well as other members of the armed robbery syndicate still at large.
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‎He further assured the public that justice would be served in the case, and that proactive measures are being put in place to prevent reoccurrence of such incidents in the FCT.
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‎Hundeyin gave the suspects’ identities as:
‎Shamsudeen Hassan; Hassan Isah (22); Abubakar AlKamu (a.k.a. Abba), 27; Sani Sirajo (a.k.a. Dan Borume), 20; MaJamilu (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.
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‎Exhibits said to have been recovered from them comprised one locally- fabricated AK-47 rifle, one locally-made pistol, one Pump-action gun, 36 live rounds of 9mm ammunition, two live cartridges, four mobile phones, two sharp knives, one cutlass, and two flashlights.
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‎Expressing condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased victims, the Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring justice, saying it remained resolute “in ensuring that all individuals connected to this grievous crime are prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
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‎The Police commended operatives of the FCT Command for their professionalism and diligence, which led to the arrests, and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, as well as to provide timely information to aid the prevention and detection of crimes.
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