Abuja, Nigeria – October 9, 2025 – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended 12 suspected armed robbers in a major breakthrough in the investigation into the tragic death of Arise News anchor Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, popularly known as Sommie, and security guard Barnabas Danlami during a violent robbery in Abuja.
The arrests, announced by FCT Police Public Relations Officer SP Josephine Adeh, followed a coordinated operation by the Command’s elite Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey. Acting on “actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence” from Giga Forensics—a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC—the team raided multiple hideouts across the FCT and neighboring states, nabbing the suspects on October 8.
Details of the Incident and Confessions
The robbery occurred in the early hours of September 29, 2025, at Unique Apartments in Gishiri Village, Katampe District, a relatively upscale residential area. Armed intruders stormed the six-flat complex, ransacking apartments and dispossessing residents of valuables, including phones and cash. Danlami, the on-duty security guard, was fatally shot when he attempted to block the gang’s entry. Maduagwu, 29, a rising star at Arise News who transitioned from beauty queen to barrister and broadcast journalist, tragically fell from the third floor during a struggle with one of the robbers, succumbing to her injuries shortly after.
During interrogation, key suspects provided chilling confessions. Hassan, one of the initial four tracked via the victims’ stolen phones, admitted to firing the shot that killed Danlami. Another, identified as Sirajo, confessed to grappling with Maduagwu in a bid to prevent her fall, claiming he was “overwhelmed by her weight.” A third suspect, Abubakar Alkamu, was implicated in the phone theft that aided the digital trail. Police noted that photos of the arrested suspects are being withheld to safeguard ongoing efforts to capture remaining accomplices.
Arise TV management, in a statement issued by Hadiza Usman-Ajayi, described Maduagwu as a “cherished member of the ARISE News family” and demanded a “speedy investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of the culprits.” Colleagues remembered her as a “talented anchor” whose final on-air segment aired just hours before the attack, leaving the media community in mourning.
Investigation and Broader Implications
The FCT Police vowed a thorough probe, with the suspects facing charges of armed robbery, murder, and conspiracy. This incident has reignited national outrage over insecurity in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, where high-profile robberies have surged despite increased patrols. Family friend Kaanayo Nwachukwu, who knew Maduagwu’s mother, alleged police negligence post-robbery contributed to her death, claiming officers arrived while she was still alive but delayed medical aid—a claim the Command has yet to address.
Media rights groups like the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and Amnesty International Nigeria have condemned the attack as part of a pattern targeting journalists, urging enhanced protections. Eyewitness accounts from a neighbor, shared on X under @lifegivingsun, detailed the chaos: screams echoing through the complex as robbers moved floor to floor, with Maduagwu’s final cries haunting residents.
Public Reaction
The arrests have trended on social media under #JusticeForSomto and #EndAbujaRobbery, with over 100,000 engagements. Fans and colleagues paid tribute, posting: “Sommie deserved better—may her killers rot in jail.” Tributes flooded Arise TV’s feeds, highlighting her poise in breaking stories on politics and women’s issues.
As the suspects await arraignment, this case underscores the urgent need for robust security measures in urban Nigeria. Maduagwu’s legacy as a beacon of professionalism endures, but her untimely death serves as a stark reminder of the perils facing those in the public eye. The FCT Police assured updates as the investigation progresses.