UPDATED: Police Detain 12 Suspects Over Killing Of Arise TV Anchor 

UPDATED: Police Detain 12 Suspects Over Killing Of Arise TV Anchor 

This report is in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, to identify and apprehend the criminal elements responsible for the armed robbery incident that led to the deaths of Mr. Barnabas Danlami, a security guard, and Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu (female), an Arise TV staff (anchor, reporter, and producer).

The incident occurred at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, on 29th September 2025 at about 0330 hours.

Acting on actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC, operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, successfully arrested twelve (12) suspects involved in the robbery.

The suspects are:

1. Shamsudeen Hassan ‘m’ from Malumfashi LGA Katsina state

2. Hassan Isah ‘m’, 22 years from Zaria kaduna State

3. Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. abba ‘m’, 27 years from Musawa LGA katsina state

4. Sani Sirajo a.k.a. dan borume ‘m’ 20 years from Malumfashi LGA katsina state

5. Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. abba ‘m’ 28 years from Igabi LGA kaduna state

6. Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. dan-sule ‘m’ 21 years from Malumfashi LGA katsina state

7. Abdul Salam saleh a.k.a. na-durudu ‘m’ from katsina lga katsina State

8. Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. gwaska ‘m’ 23 years from chikun lga kaduna state

9. Musa adamu a.k.a. musa hassan ‘m’ 30 years from malumfashi lga katsina state

10. Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. baby ‘m’ 27 years from Sammaka LGA, Kaduna state

11. Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. abbati ‘m’, 25 years from Zaria LGA, Kaduna state

12. Musa Umar a.k.a. small ‘m’ 31 years from Maiduguri LGA Borno state.

During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed to shooting the security guard when he attempted to prevent their entry into the apartment.

Sani Sirajo admitted trying to restrain Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building but was overpowered by her weight. Shamsudeen further confessed to driving away the white Honda CR-V used in the operation.

The four suspects acknowledged receiving ₦200,000 each as their share from the proceeds of the crime.

Continuing the investigation, on 8th October 2025, acting on a tip-off and additional actionable digital intelligence also provided by Giga Forensics, operatives intercepted the remaining members of the gang — Musa Umar a.k.a. Small, Hassan Isah, and other accomplices — while they were en route to a planned armed robbery operation in Maitama scheduled for the early hours of the following morning.

All suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crimes. Investigation is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated, sir.

Please note that the pictures of the suspects are withheld pending the arrest of the remaining fleeing members involved in the Gishiri operation.