Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has revealed that the weapons used by armed robbers who murdered Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, a journalist with ARISE News, and Mr Barnabas Danlami, a security guard, were smuggled into Nigeria from the Niger Republic.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this while parading twelve suspects linked to the crime at the FCT Police Command Headquarters, Garki, Abuja, on Saturday.
It will be recalled that the assailants attacked Unique Apartments, located in Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja, on September 29, 2025, during which the two victims were killed.
Hundeyin said intelligence and investigation revealed that the suspects sourced their firearms from a yet-to-be-identified supplier in Niger Republic of Niger and had been involved in several other armed robbery operations in Katampe I, Apo, Zuba, and other parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
‘Investigations revealed that the fatal shot, which claimed the life of the security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, was fired by one of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, who confessed to shooting the guard when he attempted to prevent them from entering the apartment complex.
‘It was further discovered that their firearms were sourced from a yet-to-be-identified supplier in Niger Republic and that the gang had participated in multiple armed robbery operations within the FCT,’ Hundeyin stated.
The police spokesperson explained that following the incident, operatives of the FCT Command launched a coordinated, intelligence-driven investigation, leading to the arrest of the suspects through digital intelligence and surveillance operations.
The arrested suspects are: Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah (22), Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba (27), Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume (20), Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba (28), Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule (21), Abdulsalam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu, Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska (23), Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan (30), Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby (27), Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati (25), and Musa Umar a.k.a. Small (31).
Recovered exhibits include: One locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, One locally made pistol, One pump-action gun, Thirty-six live rounds of 9mm ammunition, Two live cartridges, Four mobile phones, Two sharp knives, One cutlass, and Two flashlights.
Hundeyin extended the condolences of the Nigeria Police Force to the families, friends, and colleagues of the slain journalist and security guard, assuring that justice would be served.
‘The Force remains resolute in ensuring that all individuals connected to this grievous crime are prosecuted in accordance with the law. We commend the exceptional professionalism and dedication of the operatives of the FCT Police Command whose painstaking efforts led to these arrests and recoveries,’ he said.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid in crime prevention and detection.
‘Investigations remain ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more facts are uncovered,’ Hundeyin added.