Police Nab Armed Robbers Behind Arise News Staff Killing, Recover Weapons and Stolen Items

The Police have arrested a 12-man gang suspected to be behind the armed robbery that led to the death of Arise News staff, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu.

The suspects include Shamsudeen Hassan, 22, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina; Hassan Isah, 22, from Zaria, Kaduna; Abubakar Alkamu, 27, from Musawa LGA, Katsina; Sani Sirajo, 20, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina; Mashkur Jamilu, 28, from Igabi LGA, Kaduna; Suleiman Badamasi, 21, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina; Abdul Salam Saleh from Katsina LGA; Zaharadeen Muhammad, 23, from Chikun LGA, Kaduna; Musa Adamu, 30, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina; Sumayya Mohammed, 27, from Sammaka LGA, Kaduna; Isah Abdulrahman, 25, from Zaria LGA, Kaduna; and Musa Umar, 31, from Maiduguri, Borno.

Police said four of the suspects — Shamsudeen Hassan, Alkamu, Sirajo, and one other — were apprehended shortly after the robbery through tracking of mobile phones stolen from the victims’ apartment.

During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan admitted shooting the security guard who tried to stop the gang from entering the apartment. Sani Sirajo reportedly attempted to prevent Maduagwu from falling off a three-storey building but was overpowered by her weight. Shamsudeen also confessed to driving a white Honda CR-V out of the apartment after the operation. Each of the four suspects received ₦200,000 from the robbery proceeds.

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

Continuing investigations led to the arrest of the remaining gang members, including Musa Umar and Hassan Isah, on October 8, 2025. They were intercepted en route to another planned armed robbery in Maitama, Abuja. All suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crimes.

Police investigations are ongoing.