After One Year, Police Finally Nab the Killers of Abuja Radio Station Worker
Police operatives have arrested one Mutari Lawal, 32 years old, from Kano State and two other suspects over murder of Liberty Radio staff member, Azubuko Nwakama. Nwakama was brutally attacked and robbed on June 14, 2024, at Panteka Market in Mpape, Abuja with his mobile phone and other valuables stolen.
Spokesperson of FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh announced the arrest of the suspect in a statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, breakthrough in the investigation came on August 2, 2025, when the victim’s phone, a Redmi 13C was tracked to one Mutari Lawal, 32 years old, from Kano State.
After his arrest, Lawal allegedly confessed to attacking and stabbing Nwakama with accomplices Dan’Asabe Ibrahim, 22, from Zamfara State, and Danjuma Ibrahim, 18, both of no fixed address in Mpape, and stealing the victim’s valuables.
Mutari, according to the statement, also disclosed that he took the stolen phone to Kano and switched it off for a year.
But he said he put the phone on in August 2025 to wipe data, insert his SIM card, and return to Abuja.
The Command reassures residents that their security remains the Command’s priority and urges them to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities or emergencies through the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883.
The full statement reads: “Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, attached to Mpape Division, have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of Mr. Azubuko Nwakama, a staff member of Liberty Radio, who was attacked and robbed on June 14, 2024 at Panteka Market, Mpape, Abuja.
“Following the incident in June 2024, detectives from Mpape Division immediately launched a comprehensive investigation. The suspects had dispossessed the victim of his mobile phone and other valuables. Despite extensive tracking efforts, the device remained switched off, making it difficult to trace.
“The investigation team remained on the case for over a year, closely monitoring possible digital traces linked to the stolen phone. The breakthrough came on August 2, 2025, when the victim’s phone, a Redmi 13C, was switched on. It was immediately tracked to one Mutari Lawal, 32 yrs, from Kano State, who was promptly arrested.
“During interrogation, Mutari confessed to attacking and stabbing the deceased before making away with his valuables. He named his accomplices as Dan’Asabe Ibrahim, 22yrs, from Zamfara State, and Danjuma Ibrahim 18yrs, both of no fixed address in Mpape, with whom he carried out the crime.
“He further disclosed that he took the stolen phone to Kano, kept it switched off for a year, and only powered it on in August 2025 to wipe data, insert his SIM card, and return to Abuja.
“FCT Police Commissioner, Ajao S. Adewale, commended the diligence, resilience, and professionalism of the officers who ensured that justice prevailed despite the passage of time.”
It also reads: “He warned all criminal elements within the FCT to repent or relocate as “the long arm of the law, which is patient, persistent, and resolute will definitely catch up with them.”
“The FCT Police Command reassures the residents that their security remains the Command’s priority and urges them to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities or emergencies through the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883.”
