On the night of September 29, Danladi, a devoted father and security guard, was on duty with his colleague, Pankyes Joshua, when a group of over ten armed robbers invaded the estate. In a brave attempt to prevent their entry, Danladi was shot by the assailants.
Despite noticing the robbers’ weapons from afar, Barnabas Danladi remained resolute. Rather than retreating or alerting others from a safe distance, he instinctively chose to confront the threat directly. This courageous, split-second decision was fueled by his sense of responsibility and commitment to safeguarding the residents under his protection.
Fully aware of the danger, Danladi stood firm, trying to block the intruders from entering the compound. His selfless act, prioritizing the safety of others over his own, tragically led to his death.
He was rushed to Maitama General Hospital after bleeding for more than an hour, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries while the robbers continued their criminal activities within the estate.
In an interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend, Joshua, the surviving security guard and member of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, recounted, “We were on duty together when, around 3:00 a.m., the armed robbers scaled the fence and entered the compound. They fired at the gate’s padlock, and that’s when Danladi stood up to investigate and was shot.”
Joshua added, “They forced me to lie down and warned me not to look up. One of the robbers stayed outside to keep watch over me. Meanwhile, Danladi, though wounded, managed to crawl to the back of the building, where he collapsed and called for help. The guard watching us confiscated our phones to prevent us from calling for assistance. The others then proceeded to rob the tenants inside.”
He expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal, acknowledging that the robbers could have easily targeted him as well. Joshua criticized the inadequate security measures in the area and the delayed emergency response, which contributed to Danladi’s prolonged suffering. “Barnabas bled for over an hour before any help arrived,” he lamented.
Joshua continued, “After the robbers fled, I checked on Danladi, who was severely injured. I applied pressure to his wounds to stem the bleeding and sought help. A resident came out shouting, and we scrambled to find someone with car keys to rush him to the hospital. While searching, we discovered Sommie lying face down on the ground. Shortly after, the police arrived. A resident handed us his car keys but was too afraid to drive, so we transported Barnabas to the hospital, while the police took Sommie there as well.”
Commander Philip Amanyi, the national public relations officer for the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, to which Danladi belonged, revealed that Barnabas was honored with a hero’s burial in his native village in Niger State. He mourned the loss of the young guard, who left behind a widow and an infant son under one year old. “Our vigilante group operates solely on voluntary contributions. We pooled our limited resources to support his funeral and assist his family,” Amanyi explained.
Danladi’s burial took place on October 4, 2025. Commander Amanyi also called for increased backing for vigilante groups, highlighting their crucial role as frontline defenders in communities.
“Security is a continuous fight against criminal elements, and those on the frontlines need proper equipment and support. We require operational vehicles and a dedicated budget, no matter how modest, to motivate these young men who risk their lives to protect others,” he emphasized.
Victor Tukura, a relative of Danladi, described him as a committed individual who was passionate about his work. “Whenever duty called, even in the dead of night, Barnabas responded without hesitation,” he said.
This unwavering dedication was evident in the way Danladi sacrificed himself to shield the tenants, putting their safety above his own.
12 Suspects Detained
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended 12 individuals suspected of involvement in the deadly robbery at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.
The detainees include Shamsudeen Hassan from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State; Hassan Isah, 22, from Zaria, Kaduna State; Abubakar Alkamu (alias Abba), 27, from Musawa LGA, Katsina State; Sani Sirajo (alias Dan Borume), 20, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State; Mashkur Jamili (alias Abba), 28, from Igabi LGA, Kaduna State; Suleiman Badamasi (alias Dan-Sule), 21, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State; and Abdulsalam Saleh (alias Na-Durudu), from Katsina LGA, Katsina State.
Others include Zaharadeen Muhammad (alias Gwaska), 23, from Chikun LGA, Kaduna State; Musa Adamu (alias Musa Hassan), 30, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State; Sumayya Mohammed (alias Baby), 27, from Sammaka LGA, Kaduna State; Isah Abdulrahman (alias Abbati), 25, from Zaria LGA, Kaduna State; and Musa Umar (alias Small), 31, from Maiduguri LGA, Borno State.
FCT police spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh confirmed the arrests, noting that four suspects-Shamsudeen, Hassan, Alkamu, and Sirajo-were captured shortly after the incident and have since admitted their roles.
During questioning, Shamsudeen confessed to shooting the security guard who tried to block their entry, while Sirajo admitted attempting to catch Maduagwu as she fell from the third floor but was unable to hold her due to her weight. Shamsudeen also revealed that he drove away the victims’ white Honda CR-V after the robbery.
The suspects disclosed that each received ₦200,000 from the crime’s proceeds.
Recovered items from the gang include a counterfeit AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a homemade pistol, a pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, four mobile phones, two knives, a cutlass, and nine flashlights used during the heist, according to police reports.
Further arrests occurred on October 8 when police, acting on intelligence, intercepted three gang members, including Musa Umar and Hassan Isah, as they were en route to execute another planned robbery in Maitama.
All suspects remain in custody and have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crimes.
