The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has revealed a shocking international dimension in the ongoing investigation into the murder of Arise TV anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu. According to the authorities, preliminary findings have traced the firearms used in the deadly attack to illegal arms dealers operating across the Nigeria–Niger Republic border, exposing a dangerous network of cross-border gun smuggling fueling insecurity within the country.
Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed the development in a detailed statement on Friday, explaining that the suspects currently in custody admitted during interrogation that they obtained their weapons—including an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action shotgun, and a locally made pistol—from an arms supplier based in the Niger Republic. The confession has sparked renewed concern about the unchecked flow of small arms and light weapons into Nigeria, particularly through porous northern borders used by criminal syndicates and terrorist groups.
Adeh emphasized that this disturbing revelation highlights the urgent need for tighter border security and regional collaboration to curb the movement of illegal weapons into Nigeria. She said the police are now working with international and inter-agency partners to track down the identified arms supplier and dismantle the smuggling network believed to be responsible for the circulation of weapons used in several violent crimes across northern Nigeria.
The tragic incident occurred on the night of September 29, 2025, at the Unique Apartments in Katampe Extension, Abuja, where Maduagwu was attacked by armed men during a robbery that also claimed the life of a security guard, identified as Barnabas Danlami. The media community was thrown into mourning following the killing of the promising TV anchor, who was known for his sharp intellect, professionalism, and engaging on-screen presence. The police have since arrested twelve suspects linked to the armed robbery and homicide, bringing a major breakthrough in the case that had drawn nationwide attention.
Twelve suspects arrested across three states
According to police reports, the twelve arrested suspects are: Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, Mashkur Jamilu, Suleiman Badamasi, Abdulsalam Saleh, Zaharadeen Muhammad, Musa Adamu, Sumayya Mohammed, Isah Abdulrahman, and Musa Umar. The police confirmed that all suspects are originally from Kaduna and Katsina States and belong to a criminal gang that has been responsible for several coordinated robberies across different parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
SP Adeh explained that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to carrying out multiple armed operations in Katampe 1, Apo, and Zuba before launching the fatal attack on Maduagwu’s apartment. She further stated that one of the suspects, identified as Hassan Shamsudeen, has confessed to being the one who fired the gunshot that killed the security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during the robbery. This confession, coupled with forensic evidence gathered from the crime scene, is expected to strengthen the prosecution’s case against the suspects when charges are formally filed in court.
Following the murder, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, immediately ordered a high-level and well-coordinated investigation. The operation was led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Aliyu Abubakar and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Victor Godfrey. Working across three states—Abuja, Nasarawa, and Kaduna—the joint police teams tracked down and apprehended the suspects through a combination of intelligence gathering, surveillance technology, and local collaboration. Several weapons, stolen valuables, and ammunition were recovered during the raids, confirming the suspects’ involvement in other criminal activities beyond the murder case.
Nigeria’s ongoing small arms crisis
The discovery that the weapons used in the attack were imported illegally from the Niger Republic has reignited a broader national conversation about Nigeria’s worsening small arms crisis. Security experts estimate that millions of illicit firearms are currently circulating within West Africa, with a significant portion ending up in the hands of bandits, kidnappers, and insurgents operating in Nigeria. The porosity of Nigeria’s northern borders, coupled with weak regional enforcement mechanisms, continues to allow traffickers to move arms and ammunition freely across borders.
The tragic murder of Somtochukwu Maduagwu has, therefore, become a grim reminder of how cross-border arms smuggling contributes to the rising tide of violence in the country. It also underscores the urgent need for enhanced intelligence-sharing and joint security operations among neighboring countries, especially Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. Stakeholders have called for better surveillance systems, the deployment of advanced border-monitoring technologies, and stricter collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to disrupt the flow of illegal arms in the subregion.
As investigations continue, the police have reassured the public of their commitment to bringing everyone involved in Maduagwu’s killing to justice. Authorities have also urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their communities, reiterating that public cooperation remains vital in the fight against organized crime and cross-border terrorism. Meanwhile, the family of the late journalist has called for justice, describing him as a passionate media professional who believed in truth, fairness, and accountability—values that his killers tried but failed to silence.