By Sarah NEGEDU
At least 11 persons suspected to be involved in the September 29, robbery that led to the death of Arise TV anchor, Miss Somtochukwu Maduagwu, have been arraigned before an FCT High Court.
Recall that on the evening of September 29, 2025, Miss Maduagwu, a reporter and producer with ARISE News, and Mr. Barnabas Danlami, a security guard, were killed during a robbery at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja.
The assailants reportedly shot Danlami dead, when he tried denying them access into the apartment, while they claimed that Miss Maduagwu had jumped to her death from her second floor apartment while trying to escape the robbers.
Following the incident, the FCT Police Command launched intensive investigations that led to the identification and arrest of the suspects within months.
The FCT Police Command, in a statement on Wednesday, disclosed that the suspects arraigned include Shamsu Hassan, Sani Sirajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, Suleiman Badamasi, Zaharadeen Mohammed, Musa Umar, also known as “Small,” Mashkur Jamil, Suleiman Sani, and Abubakar Usman.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Josephine Adeh, explained that the suspects were being arraigned on multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder.
The statement reads, “The FCT Police Command has today arraigned eleven (11) suspects linked to the murder of Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, Esq., and Mr. Barnabas Danlami, a security guard, who were killed during a robbery incident at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja, on 29th September 2025. The suspects have been arraigned on a nine (9) count charge including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder. The matter has been adjourned to February 2026 for further proceedings.”
The Command further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or packages through the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, or CRU FCT: 08107314192.
