Arrests Made in Tragic Abuja Robbery
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command in Nigeria has announced the arrest of twelve suspected armed robbers in connection with the brutal murder of Arise TV anchor Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami. The tragic incident took place on September 29, 2025, at approximately 3:30 a.m., during a robbery at the Unique Apartment in Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.
The arrests followed an intensive manhunt ordered by the FCT Commissioner of Police, leveraging 'actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence' provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC. Operatives of the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, were instrumental in tracking down and apprehending the suspects across various locations.
Details of the Incident and Investigation
The robbery involved approximately 15 armed men who invaded the 16-flat, four-storey building. During the attack, Barnabas Danlami, the estate's security guard, was shot by one of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, as he attempted to prevent their entry. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, affectionately known as 'Sommie,' a 29-year-old news anchor and producer with Arise News, died after reportedly falling from the third floor of her residence while trying to escape the intruders. Initial reports had suggested she was shot, but subsequent investigations confirmed her death was due to injuries sustained from the fall.
The breakthrough in the case came shortly after the robbery, when four suspects—Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu (aka Abba), Sani Sirajo (aka Dan Borume), and one other—were initially apprehended through the tracking of mobile phones stolen from the apartment. Police reports indicate that the suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crime. One suspect, Sani Sirajo, claimed he tried to prevent Ms. Maduagwu from falling but was 'overwhelmed by her weight.'
Recovered Items and Suspects' Confessions
Further arrests were made on October 8, 2025, when remaining gang members, including Musa Umar (Small) and Hassan Isah, were intercepted while allegedly en route to commit another robbery in Maitama, Abuja. Items recovered from the suspects include:
- One fabricated AK-47 rifle
- 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition
- One locally made pistol
- One pump-action gun
- Two live cartridges
- Four stolen mobile phones
- Two sharp knives
- One cutlass
- Nine torchlights used during the operation
The suspects also admitted to sharing the proceeds of the robbery, with each reportedly receiving ₦200,000. The FCT Police Command has assured the public that investigations are ongoing and that all individuals connected to the murder will be prosecuted.
6 Comments
Michelangelo
It's commendable that the FCT Police made these arrests and recovered weapons. Yet, the initial reports about Ms. Maduagwu's death being a shooting, later changed to a fall, raise questions about transparency and accurate reporting from authorities.
Leonardo
The police deserve credit for their swift action and forensic work on this case. However, the underlying issues of youth unemployment and easy access to weapons remain unaddressed, fueling future crimes.
Michelangelo
A fall from the third floor? Sounds suspicious. The police narrative often changes.
Donatello
₦200,000 for a life? This shows the desperation and how cheap life has become.
Raphael
Twelve arrests, but the country is still unsafe. This is just scratching the surface.
paracelsus
While it's a relief to see arrests in such a high-profile case, the fact that 15 armed men could operate so freely is incredibly worrying. We need more than just reactive policing.