Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested 12 suspected armed robbers linked to the violent attack that led to the deaths of Arise News anchor, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, at Unique Apartments, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.

The arrests followed a directive from the FCT Commissioner of Police to track down those behind the tragic September 29 incident, which occurred at about 3:30 a.m. when about fifteen armed men stormed the 16-flat, four-storey apartment building.

In a statement on Wednesday, the command said the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, carried out the operation using digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC, leading to the coordinated capture of the suspects across multiple locations.

The suspects were identified as 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); and Musa Umar a.k.a. Small, 31 (Maiduguri LGA, Borno State).

Police said four of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, and another, were initially arrested after investigators tracked the victims’ mobile phones to them.

During interrogation, Hassan confessed to shooting security guard Barnabas Danlami after he tried to stop the robbers from entering the building. Sirajo, on his part, claimed he attempted to prevent Ms. Maduagwu from falling off the building but was “overwhelmed by her weight.”

The suspects also admitted to selling some of the stolen property and sharing the proceeds, with each allegedly receiving ₦200,000.

Recovered items include one fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, one locally made pistol, one pump-action gun, two live cartridges, four mobile phones belonging to the victims, two sharp knives, one cutlass, and nine torchlights used during the operation.

Further intelligence operations on October 8 led to the arrest of additional gang members, including Musa Umar (Small) and Hassan Isah, who were reportedly intercepted en route to carry out another planned robbery in Maitama, Abuja.

“All suspects have confessed to the crimes. Investigation is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated,” the police stated, adding that photos of the arrested suspects were withheld to avoid jeopardizing the manhunt for other fleeing gang members.

The tragic killing of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a promising journalist known for her professionalism and vibrant on-screen presence, has sparked national outrage and renewed calls for improved security in residential areas across Abuja.