12 Armed Robbers Arrested Over Death Of Arise TV Anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested twelve people suspected of taking part in the armed robbery that led to the death of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a news anchor and producer with Arise Television.

Police said the suspects have confessed to their roles in the robbery incident that took place on September 29 at Unique Apartments, a 16-flat, four-storey building in the Katampe area of Abuja.

It was gathered that about 15 armed men stormed the building, leading to the death of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, popularly known as Sommie, and the building’s security guard, Barnabas Danlami.

The police identified the suspects as Shamsudeen Hassan from Malumfashi LGA in Katsina State, Hassan Isah, 22, from Zaria in Kaduna State, Abubakar Alkamu alias Abba, 27, from Musawa LGA in Katsina State, Sani Sirajo alias Dan Borume, 20, from Malumfashi LGA in Katsina State, Mashkur Jamilu alias Abba, 28, from Igabi LGA in Kaduna State, and Suleiman Badamasi alias Dan-Sule, 21, from Malumfashi LGA in Katsina State.

Others are Abdul Salam Saleh, alias Na-durudu, from Katsina LGA in Katsina State; Zaharadeen Muhammad, alias Gwaska, 23, from Chikun LGA in Kaduna State; Musa Adamu, alias Musa Hassan, 30, from Malumfashi LGA in Katsina State; Sumayya Mohammed, alias Baby, 27, from Saminaka LGA in Kaduna State; Isah Abdulrahman, alias Abbati, 25, from Zaria LGA in Kaduna State; and Musa Umar, alias Small, 31, from Maiduguri LGA in Borno State.

Investigations revealed that the gang shot the security guard during the invasion, while Sommie reportedly fell from the building while trying to escape.

In a statement on Thursday, Police said four suspects were initially tracked down through phones stolen from the victims, leading to the arrest of others.

During questioning, Shamsudeen Hassan admitted to shooting the guard as he tried to block their entry, while Sani Sirajo confessed that he attempted to stop Sommie from falling but could not hold her due to her weight.

“Operatives of the scorpion squad led by ACP Victor Godfrey acting on actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC, have successfully arrested twelve (12) of the armed robbers that were involved in that operation,” the statement reads.

“During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed that he shot the security guard when he attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the apartment.

“Sani Sirajo confessed to have tried to hold Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight.

“Shamsudeen further confessed that he drove the white Honda CR-V jeep out of the apartment after the operation. The four suspects admitted that they each received ₦200,000 from the proceeds of the crime.

“Recovered exhibits include: one (1) fabricated AK-47 rifle; thirty-six (36) rounds of 9mm live ammunition; one (1) locally made pistol; one (1) pump-action gun; two (2) live cartridges; four (4) mobile phones of the victims; two (2) sharp knives; one (1) cutlass; nine (9) torchlights used during the operation.”

KanyiDaily recalls that FCT police had narrated how Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu died after jumping from a three-storey building during an armed robbery at her home.