The FCT Police Command has announced the arrest of 12 suspects from Kaduna and Katsina States, not Borno, in connection with the September 29 robbery and murder of Arise News journalist Somtochukwu Maduagwu and security guard Barnabas Danlami at Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja.
In a statement released on Friday and sent to Persecondnews, Command spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh noted that Police Commissioner Ajao Adewale attributed the arrests to an intensive, intelligence-led investigation.
This effort, spearheaded by DCP Aliyu Abubakar and ACP Victor Godfrey, involved coordinated operations across the FCT, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States, leading to the successful tracking and apprehension of the suspects and the recovery of several weapons and exhibits.
Items recovered include one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, a pistol, a pump-action gun, 36 live ammunition, two cartridges, four mobile phones, two knives, a cutlass, and a heavy flashlight.
The statement reads in part: “Those arrested are: Shamsudeen Hassan; Hassan Isah, 22; Abubakar Alkamu (aka Abba), 27; Sani Sirajo (aka Dan Borume), 20, the gang’s driver; Mashkur Jamilu (aka Abba), 28; and Suleiman Badamasi (aka Dan Sule), 21, who supplied vehicles for operations.
“Also arrested are Abdulsalam Saleh (aka Na-Durudu); Zaharadeen Muhammad (aka Gwaska), 23; Musa Adamu (aka Musa Hassan), 30; Sumayya Mohammed (aka Baby), 27; Isah Abdulrahman (aka Abbati), 25; and Musa Umar (aka Small), 31.
“All the suspects are from Kaduna and Katsina States.”
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the gang obtained their firearms from a supplier in Niger Republic and had previously carried out similar armed robberies in Katampe 1, Apo, and Zuba, all within the FCT.”
The police further disclosed that the fatal shot which killed the security guard, Danlami, was fired by one of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan.
CP Adewale extended his condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims, assuring that justice would be served.
He commended the investigation team for their professionalism and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to the safety of residents in the FCT.
The public was also urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, or CRU FCT: 08107314192.
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