JUST IN: 12 Armed Robbers Behind Death of Arise TV Anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu Arrested in Abuja

Fresh details have emerged in the investigation into the tragic death of Arise Television anchor, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, who was killed during a robbery attack in her Abuja residence last month.

According to a report shared by Arise TV journalist Rufai Oseni on Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully arrested 12 suspected members of the armed robbery gang responsible for the deadly attack.

The Commissioner of Police had earlier directed an intensive manhunt for the culprits following the incident, which occurred on September 29, 2025, at Unique Apartments, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja, around 3:30 a.m.

The raid claimed the lives of Ms. Maduagwu  who worked as an anchor, reporter, and producer with Arise News and the apartment’s security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami.

Following the directive, operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, acted on advanced digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB Stratoc.
Their efforts led to the arrest of 12 suspects linked to the notorious gang.

Among those arrested are:

1. Shamsudeen Hassan (Malumfashi, Katsina)

1. Hassan Isah (22, Zaria, Kaduna)

1. Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba (27, Musawa, Katsina)

1. Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume (20, Malumfashi, Katsina)

1. Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba (28, Igabi, Kaduna)

1. Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule (21, Malumfashi, Katsina)

1. Abdul Salam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu (Katsina LGA)

1. Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska (23, Chikun, Kaduna)

1. Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan (30, Malumfashi, Katsina)

1. Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby (27, Saminaka, Kaduna)

1. Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati (25, Zaria, Kaduna)

1. Musa Umar a.k.a. Small (31, Maiduguri, Borno)

Investigations revealed that four suspects — Hassan, Alkamu, Sirajo, and another accomplice — were tracked and arrested through mobile phones stolen from the apartment during the robbery.

During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed to shooting the security guard, Mr. Danlami, when he tried to stop the robbers from entering the premises.
Sani Sirajo also admitted he attempted to restrain Ms. Maduagwu from falling from the third-storey building but was unable to hold her.

Hassan further disclosed that he escaped in a stolen white Honda CR-V, while the proceeds of the robbery were shared among gang members, with each receiving ₦200,000.

Recovered exhibits from the suspects include:

• One fabricated AK-47 rifle

• Thirty-six rounds of 9mm live ammunition

• One locally made pistol

• One pump-action gun

• Two live cartridges

• Four mobile phones belonging to the victims

• Two sharp knives, one cutlass, and nine torchlights used during the operation

On October 8, 2025, police operatives intercepted additional gang members including Musa Umar (Small) and Hassan Isah while they were reportedly heading to carry out another planned robbery in Maitama, Abuja.

All 12 suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crimes.

The police confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as efforts continue to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.

Authorities have withheld photos of the suspects to avoid compromising ongoing operations. Evidence recovered, including a video of the AK-47 rifle recovered near Zuma Rock, has been added to the case file.