The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has apprehended 12 individuals believed to be behind the brutal killing of Arise News anchor Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu and a security officer, Barnabas Danlami, in Abuja.
The deadly attack occurred at Unique Apartments, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, around 3:30 a.m. on September 29, leaving the media community and residents in shock and mourning.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the FCT Police said the arrests were executed following directives from the Commissioner of Police to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The operation, led by ACP Victor Godfrey of the Scorpion Squad, relied on what the police described as “actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence” provided by Giga Forensics, an EIB STRATOC subsidiary. The suspects were traced to multiple hideouts across the FCT and neighbouring states.
The arrested suspects include Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu (aka Abba), Sani Sirajo (aka Dan Borume), Mashkur Jamilu (aka Abba), Suleiman Badamasi (aka Dan-Sule), Abdul Salam Saleh (aka Na-Durudu), Zaharadeen Muhammad (aka Gwaska), Musa Adamu (aka Musa Hassan), Sumayya Mohammed (aka Baby), Isah Abdulrahman (aka Abbati), and Musa Umar (aka Small).
Investigators revealed that four members of the gang were first traced after using stolen phones belonging to the victims.
During questioning, Hassan admitted to shooting the security guard when he resisted their intrusion.
Sirajo said he struggled with Ms. Maduagwu during the attack, attempting to prevent her from falling from the three-storey building but claimed he was overpowered.
Police said the gang had sold some of the stolen items, distributing about ₦200,000 to each member.
Items recovered include a fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a locally made pistol, a pump-action gun, two live cartridges, four phones taken from victims, two knives, a cutlass, and nine torchlights used during the robbery.
The command also disclosed that on October 8, officers intercepted additional suspects, including Musa Umar and Hassan Isah, reportedly en route to carry out another planned robbery in Maitama, Abuja.
“All suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crimes. Investigations are ongoing, and updates will be provided as they develop,” the FCT Police said, adding that photographs of the suspects would be withheld to aid in capturing other fleeing accomplices.