12 armed robbers behind death of Arise TV anchor Sommie arrested

Arise Television, has shared fresh details surrounding the death of his late colleague, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, who died in her Abuja residence during a robbery attack weeks ago.

Arise TV shared the development on their social media page on Thursday, disclosing a report received on the progress of the investigation into the tragic incident that claimed the lives of Maduagwu and a security guard, Mr Barnabas Danlami.

According to the report, the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had directed officers to identify and apprehend the criminal gang responsible for the deadly attack, which occurred at Unique Apartments in Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja, on 29th September 2025, around 3:30 a.m.

The raid led to the death of Ms Maduagwu—who worked as an anchor, reporter, and producer with Arise News—and the apartment’s security guard, Mr 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. The team successfully arrested twelve members of the notorious armed robbery syndicate.

The arrested suspects were identified as:

1. Shamsudeen Hassan, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State

2. Hassan Isah, 22, from Zaria, Kaduna State

3. Abubakar Alkamu (a.k.a. Abba), 27, from Musawa LGA, Katsina State

4. Sani Sirajo (a.k.a. Dan Borume), 20, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State

5. Mashkur Jamilu (a.k.a. Abba), 28, from Igabi LGA, Kaduna State

6. Suleiman Badamasi (a.k.a. Dan-Sule), 21, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State

7. Abdul Salam Saleh (a.k.a. Na-Durudu), from Katsina LGA, Katsina State

8. Zaharadeen Muhammad (a.k.a. Gwaska), 23, from Chikun LGA, Kaduna State

9. Musa Adamu (a.k.a. Musa Hassan), 30, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State

10. Sumayya Mohammed (a.k.a. Baby), 27, from Sammaka LGA, Kaduna State

11. Isah Abdulrahman (a.k.a. Abbati), 25, from Zaria LGA, Kaduna State

12. Musa Umar (a.k.a. Small), 31, from Maiduguri LGA, Borno State. 

The report revealed that four suspects—Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, and another accomplice—were initially 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, after he tried to prevent the robbers from entering the premises. Sani Sirajo also admitted that he attempted to restrain Ms Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building but was unable to hold her due to her weight.

Hassan further disclosed that he drove away from the scene in the white Honda CR-V stolen from the apartment. The arrested suspects also confessed that they each received ₦200,000 from the proceeds of the robbery.

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

Nine torchlights used during the operation

In continuation of the investigation, on 8th October 2025, operatives intercepted the remaining members of the gang—Musa Umar (a.k.a. Small), Hassan Isah, and other accomplices—while they were en route to another planned robbery operation in Maitama, Abuja.

All suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crimes. The police confirmed that investigations are still ongoing and further developments will be communicated in due course.

The report added that photographs of the suspects have been withheld to avoid compromising efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.

Recovered weapons and evidence, including a video showing the recovery of one of the AK-47 rifles near Zuma Rock, have been attached to the ongoing case file.