By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arraigned 11 suspected armed robbers over the killing of an Arise News journalist, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, and a security guard during a violent early-morning robbery at a residential apartment in Abuja.
The suspects were brought before a court on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and murder, as police vowed to pursue justice and dismantle cross-border criminal networks linked to the attack.
The incident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on September 29, 2025, at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, where armed men reportedly invaded the building, moving from flat to flat and dispossessing residents of valuables.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, said police operatives responded swiftly after receiving a distress call from the area.
“Our officers moved to the scene and found the journalist lying unconscious. She was rushed to Maitama General Hospital, where doctors made efforts to resuscitate her, but unfortunately, she was confirmed dead,” Adewale said.
Police investigations revealed that the journalist allegedly jumped from the third floor of the building while attempting to escape the attackers.
The security guard on duty, Barnabas Danlami, was also shot during the operation and later died from his injuries. Police identified one of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, as the alleged shooter.
Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed that operatives recovered a cache of weapons during coordinated raids across the FCT, Nasarawa and Kaduna states.
Items recovered include a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, a pistol, 36 rounds of live ammunition, cartridges, knives, a cutlass, torchlights and mobile phones belonging to the victims.
Adeh said investigations showed the suspects were part of a robbery gang that had also operated in Katampe 1, Apo and Zuba areas of Abuja.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the firearms were supplied by an arms dealer operating across the Nigeria–Niger Republic border. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the supplier,” she said.
Those arraigned include Shamsu Hassan, Sani Sirajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, Suleiman Badamasi, Zaharadeen Mohammed, Musa Umar (alias ‘Small’), Mashkur Jamil, Suleiman Sani and Abubakar Usman.
Police added that investigations are still ongoing following earlier statements that mentioned additional suspects, raising the possibility of further arrests.
The court adjourned the matter to February 2026 for continuation of trial.
Meanwhile, the police have urged residents of the FCT to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements through emergency channels, assuring the public of their commitment to safeguarding lives and property.