By Tolu Adesuwa Igiehon
Society Deputy Editor
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced the arrest of 12 suspected armed robbers implicated in the tragic death of Somtochukwu Christella “Sommie” Maduagwu, an anchor and producer with Arise News, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during a home invasion in Abuja.
The incident occurred in the early hours of September 29, 2025, at Unique Apartments, Gishiri Village, Katampe District. The suspects were apprehended following intensive investigations led by the police’s Scorpion Squad, assisted by digital forensic intelligence from Giga Forensics, an EIB Stratoc affiliate.
Suspects Identified and Initial Confessions
The arrested individuals include:
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Shamsudeen Hassan (Malumfashi, Katsina State)
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Hassan Isah, 22 (Zaria, Kaduna State)
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Abubakar Alkamu, 27 (Musawa, Katsina State)
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Sani Sirajo, 20 (Malumfashi, Katsina State)
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Mashkur Jamilu, 28 (Igabi, Kaduna State)
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Suleiman Badamasi, 21 (Malumfashi, Katsina State)
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Abdulsalam Saleh (Katsina LGA, Katsina State)
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Zaharadeen Muhammad, 23 (Chikun, Kaduna State)
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Musa Adamu, 30 (Malumfashi, Katsina State)
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Sumayya Mohammed, 27 (Sammaka, Kaduna State)
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Isah Abdulrahman, 25 (Zaria, Kaduna State)
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Musa Umar, 31 (Maiduguri, Borno State)
According to police sources, four suspects—Shamsudeen, Alkamu, Sirajo, and another—were initially apprehended soon after the crime. In interrogations, Shamsudeen is said to have confessed to shooting the security guard, while Sirajo allegedly admitted trying to hold onto Maduagwu as she fell from the third floor.
One of the suspects, Shamsudeen, also claimed to have driven off in the victims’ white Honda CR-V after the robbery.
Evidence Seized & Additional Arrests
Law enforcement officials recovered a cache of weapons and tools during the operation, including:
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A fabricated AK-47 rifle
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36 rounds of live ammunition
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A locally made pistol
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A pump-action gun
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Two cartridges
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Four mobile phones
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Two knives
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A cutlass
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Nine torchlights
Authorities also disclosed that each suspect allegedly received ₦200,000 from the proceeds of the crime.
On October 8, further arrests were made. The police intercepted Musa Umar and Hassan Isah while they were reportedly en route to carry out another robbery in Maitama, Abuja.
All 12 suspects are currently in police custody and are said to have confessed. The investigation is ongoing.
Victim & Public Outcry
Somtochukwu Maduagwu, popularly known as Somie, was 29 years old and had served as a news anchor, producer, lawyer, and advocate for gender equality.
Initial reports suggest she attempted to escape the robbers by jumping from her third-floor apartment but succumbed to her injuries at a hospital. Her death has sparked widespread public outrage, with calls for swift justice. Abuja-based human rights lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi urged that the suspects be prosecuted without delay
