The Police have arrested several armed robbery suspects linked to the brutal killing of Arise News staff, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, during a robbery incident in Abuja. The suspects, numbering twelve, were traced to various parts of Katsina, Kaduna, and Borno States.
According to the Police, the first arrests were made shortly after the incident through the tracking of mobile phones stolen from the apartment. Four suspects — Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, and one other — were apprehended and confessed to their involvement. Hassan admitted to shooting the security guard, while Sirajo said he tried but failed to stop Somtochukwu from falling off the building during the attack.
Recovered items include a fabricated AK-47 rifle, live ammunition, a pump-action gun, locally made pistols, mobile phones belonging to the victims, and other weapons used in the operation. The suspects also confessed to sharing ₦200,000 each from the proceeds of the robbery.
Further investigation led to the arrest of the remaining gang members following a tip-off and digital tracking. The police intercepted them while planning another robbery operation in Maitama. All suspects are now in custody, and investigations continue to ensure justice is served.
Press Release
Armed Robbers Involved In The Robbery That Led To The Death of Arise News Staff, Somtochukwu Maduagwu Arrested
According to the Police, 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.
Shortly after the robbery incident, four (4) of the suspects shamsudeen hassan, alkamu, sirajo and one other person were apprehended through the tracking of phones stollen from the apartment during the robbery.
During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed that he shot the security guard when he attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the apartment. Sani Sirajo confessed to have tried to hold Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight. Shamsudeen further confessed that he drove the white honda CR-V jeep out of the apartment after the operation. The four suspects admitted that they each received ₦200,000 from the proceeds of the crime.
Recovered exhibits include:
One (1) fabricated ak-47 rifle
Thirty-six (36) rounds of 9mm live ammunition
One (1) locally made pistol
One (1) pump-action gun
Two (2) live cartridges
Four (4) mobile phones of the victims
Two (2) sharp knives
One (1) cutlass
Nine (9) torchlights used during the operation
In continuation of investigations, yesterday, 08/10/2025, acting on a tip-off and actionable digital intelligence also provided by us, the remaining members of the gang, Musa umar a.k.a. small, Hassan Isah and other accomplices involved in the Gishiri robbery were intercepted while enroute to an already planned armed robbery operation scheduled to hold at maitama in the early hours of this morning.
All suspects have confessed to the crimes, investigation is ongoing.
