The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of 12 suspected armed robbers linked to the tragic death of Arise News staff, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, during a violent robbery attack in Abuja.
According to police authorities, the breakthrough came after investigators tracked mobile phones stolen from the victims’ apartment. The suspects, arrested across multiple states, confessed to their roles in the crime.
Those arrested include:
1. Shamsudeen Hassan – Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
2. Hassan Isah, 22 – Zaria, Kaduna State
3. Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba, 27 – Musawa LGA, Katsina State
4. Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume, 20 – Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
5. Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba, 28 – Igabi LGA, Kaduna State
6. Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule, 21 – Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
7. Abdul Salam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu – Katsina LGA, Katsina State
8. Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska, 23 – Chikun LGA, Kaduna State
9. Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan, 30 – Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
10. Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby, 27 – Sammaka LGA, Kaduna State
11. Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati, 25 – Zaria LGA, Kaduna State
12. Musa Umar a.k.a. Small, 31 – Maiduguri LGA, Borno State
Police reports indicate that Shamsudeen Hassan, during interrogation, admitted to shooting the security guard who tried to prevent their entry into the compound. Sani Sirajo also confessed to attempting to stop Maduagwu from falling from the three-storey building during the incident but said he was overpowered by her weight.
Hassan further revealed that he drove the victim’s white Honda CR-V away after the robbery, and that each gang member received ₦200,000 as their share of the loot.
Items Recovered
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) stolen mobile phones
Two (2) sharp knives
One (1) cutlass
Nine (9) torchlights used during the robbery
In a follow-up operation on October 8, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives intercepted Musa Umar a.k.a. Small, Hassan Isah, and others on their way to launch another planned robbery attack in Maitama, Abuja.
All suspects have confessed to their involvement in the Gishiri robbery and the murder of the Arise News staff. Police say investigations are still ongoing to uncover more accomplices and recover additional stolen items.
The police assured the public that justice will be served for the late Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu as part of ongoing efforts to rid Abuja and other parts of the country of violent criminal gangs.
