You Won’t Believe Who the FCT Police Just Arrested Over ARISE News Anchor’s Murder — Watch the Video The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 12 suspected members of a notorious armed robbery gang allegedly responsible for the gruesome murder of ARISE News anchor, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during a violent robbery attack in Abuja.
The tragic incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. on September 29, 2025, at Unique Apartments, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, prompting the FCT Commissioner of Police to launch an immediate manhunt for the perpetrators.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Command confirmed the arrest of the suspects following a series of coordinated intelligence operations across Abuja and neighboring states.
Those arrested include: Shamsudeen Hassan (Katsina), Hassan Isah (Kaduna), Abubakar Alkamu, a.k.a. Abba(Katsina), Sani Sirajo (Katsina), Mashkur Jamilu (Kaduna), Suleiman Badamasi, a.k.a. Dan-Sule (Katsina), Abdul Salam Saleh (Katsina), Zaharadeen Muhammad (Kaduna), Musa Adamu, a.k.a. Musa Hassan (Katsina), Sumayya Mohammed, a.k.a. Baby (Kaduna), Isah Abdulrahman, a.k.a. Abbati (Kaduna), and Musa Umar, a.k.a. Small(Borno).
According to police sources, four members of the gang — Hassan, Alkamu, Sirajo, and one other — were the first to be apprehended after detectives tracked mobile phones stolen from the victims.
During interrogation, Hassan reportedly confessed to shooting the security guard, Barnabas, when he tried to resist the gang’s entry into the compound, while Sirajo claimed he attempted to stop the journalist from falling from the third floor during the assault.
The suspects also admitted to stealing a white Honda CR-V, which they later sold, sharing ₦200,000 each from the proceeds of the robbery.
Recovered items from the gang 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, sharp knives, a cutlass, and nine torchlights used during the operation.
The FCT Commissioner of Police commended the efforts of the tactical teams involved in the investigation, assuring residents that the command remains committed to ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
“This arrest sends a clear message to criminal elements that Abuja will not be a safe haven for crime. All suspects will be prosecuted accordingly,” a senior police officer stated.
The police have urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.
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