Police Arrest Killers Of Arise TV Staff In Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has captured twelve suspected armed robbers believed to be behind the killing of Arise Television staff member, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during a violent robbery in Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.

The deadly attack took place in the early hours of September 29, when the victims were brutally murdered at Unique Apartment, leaving residents in shock. The arrests followed a directive from President Bola Tinubu to security agencies to track down those responsible.

The breakthrough came after operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, deployed digital and reconstructive intelligence to trace the suspects. Acting under the instruction of the FCT Commissioner of Police, the team launched a coordinated operation that led to the capture of the gang members across different locations.

The arrested suspects were identified as Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu (alias Abba), Sani Sirajo (alias Dan Borume), Mashkur Jamili (alias Abba), Suleiman Badamasi (alias Dan-Sule), Abdulsalam Saleh (alias Na-Durudu), Zaharadeen Muhammad (alias Gwaska), Musa Adamu (alias Musa Hassan), Sumayya Mohammed (alias Baby), Isah Abdulrahman (alias Abbati), and Musa Umar (alias Small). They are from different parts of Katsina, Kaduna, and Borno States.

According to police investigations, four suspects — Shamsudeen, Hassan, Alkamu, and Sirajo — were the first to be arrested and confessed to their roles in the attack. Shamsudeen reportedly shot the security guard who attempted to stop them from entering the building, while Sirajo admitted he tried but failed to save Maduagwu as she fell from the third floor. The gang later escaped with the victims’ white Honda CR-V and shared ₦200,000 each from the loot.

Recovered weapons and items from the suspects include a fabricated AK-47 rifle, a locally made pistol, a pump-action gun, 36 rounds of live ammunition, two live cartridges, four mobile phones, two knives, a cutlass, and several torchlights used during the operation.

Police operatives made additional arrests on October 8, intercepting three more gang members, including Musa Umar and Hassan Isah, while they were heading for another robbery mission in Maitama.

All suspects are now in police custody and have reportedly confessed to the crime. The FCT Commissioner of Police praised the Scorpion Squad for their quick response and assured Abuja residents that the Command remains fully committed to ensuring the capital is free of violent criminals.