Authorities say they are closing in on gun traffickers from the Niger Republic believed to have supplied the weapons used in the killing of Arise TV anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu, who was murdered alongside a security guard during a robbery late last month.
The incident, which took place on September 29 at Unique Apartments in Katampe Extension, Abuja, sparked a swift response from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, culminating in the arrest of 12 suspects. Nine of them were paraded at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Saturday.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that investigators have gathered actionable intelligence linking the armed attackers to cross-border arms suppliers.
He added that arrests of the suspected traffickers were imminent and that the police would continue to keep the public informed as the investigation progresses.
According to the police, several firearms, rounds of ammunition, and other materials believed to have been used in the crime were recovered during the raid. Some of the suspects were reportedly injured during their arrest and are currently receiving medical attention under custody.
One of the suspects has been identified as the gunman who fatally shot the security guard, Barnabas Danlami.
Hundeyin noted that, due to the high-profile nature of the case and growing public interest, the Force opted to parade the suspects an exception to its usual protocol.
Reiterating the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring justice, Hundeyin assured that all those responsible would face prosecution.
He stressed that delivering justice for Maduagwu and Danlami remains a top priority for the Force under Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun’s leadership.
The case has drawn widespread national attention, not only for its tragic outcome but also for exposing the broader security threat posed by illicit arms trafficking across Nigeria’s porous borders.
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