Nigerian police have announced a major breakthrough in the armed robbery and murder case of ARISE News anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, with the arrest and public parade of twelve suspects.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command successfully apprehended the suspects following a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation launched immediately after the tragic incident at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Abuja, on September 29, 2025.
The intensive investigation, spearheaded by a Special Investigation Team and leveraging digital reconstructive intelligence, led to the dismantling of the notorious criminal network responsible for the attack.
The twelve suspects, identified primarily as being from Kaduna and Katsina States, have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the heinous crime.
Crucially, the police investigation has unearthed a transnational dimension to the gang’s operations, revealing that the suspects procured their sophisticated firearms from an illegal supplier based in the Niger Republic, operating along the Nigeria-Niger border.
This discovery points to the persistent challenge of illicit small arms proliferation across Nigeria’s porous borders, fueling insecurity within the capital and other regions.
The recovered exhibits from the gang, which include a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, a locally made pistol, and live ammunition, underscore the deadly arsenal they commanded.
The September 29 attack resulted in the death of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, who tragically fell from her third-floor apartment while attempting to escape the intruders, and Barnabas Danlami, the estate security guard who was fatally shot.
One of the paraded suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, was specifically identified as the individual who fired the shot that killed Mr. Danlami as the guard tried to prevent their entry.
The gang also confessed to carrying out several other armed robberies in other parts of the FCT, including Katampe I, Apo, and Zuba, indicating they were a well-organized syndicate terrorizing the city.
While parading the suspects, the police affirmed that nine were currently in custody, with three others receiving treatment for injuries sustained during their arrest.
The law enforcement agency assured the public that the suspects would face full prosecution once the investigation is wrapped up, vowing that justice will be served to the families of both Ms. Maduagwu and Mr. Danlami.
Furthermore, the police declared they are actively working on credible leads to track and apprehend the gun suppliers in the Niger Republic, aiming to completely dismantle the criminal arms supply chain.
This development provides a significant measure of closure and highlights the commitment of the FCT Police to tackling violent crime and the flow of illegal arms in the nation’s capital.
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