By Desire Emmanuel
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Saturday disclosed that weapons recovered from armed robbery suspects responsible for the killing of Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, a journalist with ARISE News, and Mr. Barnabas Danlami, a security guard, Abuja, were brought into the country from Niger Republic.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed this to newsmen on Saturday at the FCT Police Command Headquarters, Garki, while parading the 12 suspects in connection with the incident.
Hundeyin said intelligence and investigation further revealed that their firearms were sourced from a yet-to-be-identified supplier in Niger Republic, and that they had taken part in other robbery operations within Katampe I, Apo, Zuba, and other parts of the FCT.
“Investigations revealed that the fatal shot which claimed the life of the security guard was fired by one of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, who stated that he shot the guard when the latter attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the apartment complex.
” It was further revealed that their firearms were sourced from a yet-to-be-identified supplier in Niger Republic, and that they had taken part in other armed robbery operations within Katampe I, Apo, Zuba, and other parts of the FCT,” Hundeyin said.
The Force PRO, who said the parade of the suspects was necessary to keep the public updated on the ongoing investigation, also gave details on how the suspects were arrested.
According to Hundeyin: “Following the incident, operatives of the FCT Police Command immediately launched a coordinated intelligence-driven investigation. Through diligent efforts and extensive digital intelligence analysis, 12 suspects linked to the robbery were arrested.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included One locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, one locally made pistol, one pump-action gun, thirty-six live rounds of 9mm ammunition, two live cartridges, four mobile phones, two sharp knives, one cutlass, two flashlights.
