The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 12 suspects in connection with the brutal killing of Arise Television news anchor and producer, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, during a robbery attack in Abuja.
Maduagwu, popularly known as “Sommie,” was murdered alongside a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during a violent robbery at Unique Apartments, a 16-flat residential building in the Katampe area of the Federal Capital Territory, on September 29, 2025.
According to a statement released on Wednesday, the arrest followed a coordinated operation by the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, and backed by actionable intelligence provided by digital forensics firm, Giga Forensics.
The suspects were apprehended across multiple locations after investigators tracked the victims’ stolen mobile phones. Four initial arrests led to the identification of the wider network of gang members.
During interrogation, one of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, admitted to shooting the security guard, Danlami, after he attempted to resist the robbers. Another suspect, Sani Sirajo, claimed he tried to prevent Maduagwu from falling off the building during the attack but was “overwhelmed by her weight.”
Police said the gang confessed to selling stolen items from the attack and splitting the proceeds, with each member reportedly receiving ₦200,000. Weapons and stolen property recovered from the suspects include a fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a locally made pistol, a pump-action gun, two live cartridges, four of the victims’ phones, sharp knives, a cutlass, and nine torchlights used during the operation.
The breakthrough continued on October 8, when another intelligence-led operation intercepted the remaining members of the gang, including Musa Umar (alias Small) and Hassan Isah, who were reportedly on their way to execute another robbery in Maitama, Abuja.
All 12 suspects have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crimes. The police noted that their identities are being withheld from public display at this stage to avoid jeopardizing ongoing efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
The arrested suspects include:
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Shamsudeen Hassan, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
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Hassan Isah, 22, from Zaria, Kaduna State
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Abubakar Alkamu (alias Abba), 27, from Musawa LGA, Katsina State
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Sani Sirajo (alias Dan Borume), 20, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
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Mashkur Jamilu (alias Abba), 28, from Igabi LGA, Kaduna State
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Suleiman Badamasi (alias Dan-Sule), 21, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
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Abdul Salam Saleh (alias Na-Durudu), from Katsina LGA, Katsina State
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Zaharadeen Muhammad (alias Gwaska), 23, from Chikun LGA, Kaduna State
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Musa Adamu (alias Musa Hassan), 30, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
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Sumayya Mohammed (alias Baby), 27, from Saminaka LGA, Kaduna State
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Isah Abdulrahman (alias Abbati), 25, from Zaria LGA, Kaduna State
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Musa Umar (alias Small), 31, from Maiduguri LGA, Borno State
Police investigations are still ongoing, and authorities say further updates will be provided as the case progresses.
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