The Nigeria Police have arrested 12 armed robbery suspects linked to the gruesome killing of Arise News staff, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, during a violent robbery incident in Abuja.
According to police authorities, the suspects were apprehended following a coordinated intelligence-led operation that tracked stolen phones and other valuables taken from the victim’s apartment during the robbery.
The arrested suspects include:
- Shamsudeen Hassan (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
- Hassan Isah, 22 (Zaria, Kaduna State)
- Abubakar Alkamu (a.k.a. Abba), 27 (Musawa LGA, Katsina State)
- Sani Sirajo (a.k.a. Dan Borume), 20 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
- Mashkur Jamilu (a.k.a. Abba), 28 (Igabi LGA, Kaduna State)
- Suleiman Badamasi (a.k.a. Dan-Sule), 21 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
- Abdul Salam Saleh (a.k.a. Na-Durudu) (Katsina LGA, Katsina State)
- Zaharadeen Muhammad (a.k.a. Gwaska), 23 (Chikun LGA, Kaduna State)
- Musa Adamu (a.k.a. Musa Hassan), 30 (Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State)
- Sumayya Mohammed (a.k.a. Baby), 27 (Sammaka LGA, Kaduna State)
- Isah Abdulrahman (a.k.a. Abbati), 25 (Zaria LGA, Kaduna State)
- Musa Umar (a.k.a. Small), 31 (Maiduguri LGA, Borno State).
Police investigations revealed that four of the suspects — Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, and another accomplice — were initially arrested through the tracking of stolen mobile phones.
During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed to shooting the security guard who tried to prevent the gang from gaining entry into the building. Sani Sirajo admitted that he attempted to stop Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey apartment during the struggle but was “overwhelmed by her weight.”
Shamsudeen also confessed to driving away the stolen white Honda CR-V used to escape the crime scene. The suspects disclosed that each member received ₦200,000 from the proceeds of the robbery.
Recovered exhibits from the gang include:
One fabricated AK-47 rifle
Thirty-six rounds of 9mm live ammunition
One locally made pistol
One pump-action gun
Two live cartridges
Four stolen mobile phones
Two sharp knives
One cutlass
Nine torchlights used during the operation
In a follow-up operation on October 8, 2025, acting on a tip-off and actionable digital intelligence, police intercepted Musa Umar (a.k.a. Small), Hassan Isah, and other gang members while en route to another planned armed robbery in Maitama, Abuja.
All suspects have reportedly confessed to their roles in the crimes. Police say investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend any remaining accomplices.