The Nigeria Police Force has arrested twelve suspects in connection with the robbery that led to the death of Arise Television anchor and producer, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, in Abuja.
The incident occurred in the early hours of September 29, 2025, at Unique Estate, Gwarinpa, where the suspects, numbering about fifteen, allegedly broke into the residential complex.
According to the police, the suspects shot and killed the estate’s security guard, Danlami, before proceeding to rob several apartments, including that of Maduagwu. In an attempt to escape, Maduagwu reportedly jumped from her third-floor apartment and sustained critical injuries. She was later confirmed dead at a hospital.
A forensic investigation led to the arrest of twelve suspects across different locations in Abuja. The suspects were traced through stolen mobile phones and other electronic evidence recovered from the crime scene. A team led by the FCT Police Command’s Special Anti-Robbery Unit and assisted by private digital forensic experts carried out the operation.
Items recovered from the suspects include a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, 36 rounds of 9mm ammunition, one locally made pistol, knives, cutlasses, and several stolen phones.
During interrogation, one of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, confessed to shooting the security guard. Another, Sani Sirajo, admitted to being present during the incident and claimed to have tried stopping the victim from jumping, but failed.
The police said the suspects shared proceeds from the robbery, with each person allegedly receiving ₦200,000.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, confirmed that the arrests were made following intelligence and surveillance operations. He added that investigations are ongoing to apprehend remaining members of the gang and recover more stolen items
