By Deborah Nnamdi
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the arrest of 12 suspects connected to the armed robbery incident that claimed the life of Arise TV presenter, Somtochukwu Maduagwu.
A statement issued by the Force on Thursday revealed that the suspects were apprehended following a series of coordinated intelligence operations. Those arrested include: Shamsudeen Hassan from Katsina; Hassan Isah, 22, from Kaduna; Abubakar Alkamu (alias Abba), 27, from Katsina; Sani Sirajo (alias Dan Borume), 20, from Katsina; Mashkur Jamilu (alias Abba), 28, from Kaduna; and Suleiman Badamasi (alias Dan-Sule), 21, from Katsina.
Others are Abdul Salam Saleh (alias Na-Durudu) from Katsina; Zaharadeen Muhammad (alias Gwaska), 23, from Kaduna; Musa Adamu (alias Musa Hassan), 30, from Katsina; Sumayya Mohammed (alias Baby), 27, from Kaduna; Isah Abdulrahman (alias Abbati), 25, from Kaduna; and Musa Umar (alias Small), 31, from Borno State.
According to the police, four of the suspects—Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, and another accomplice—were initially arrested after investigators tracked mobile phones stolen from the victim’s apartment during the robbery.
“During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed that he shot the security guard who tried to stop them from entering the building,” the statement said. “Sani Sirajo also admitted attempting to hold Somtochukwu Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight.”
Hassan further confessed to driving away the victim’s white Honda CR-V after the operation, while the group reportedly shared ₦200,000 each from the proceeds of the crime.
Recovered items from the suspects include one fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a locally made pistol, a pump-action gun, two live cartridges, four mobile phones belonging to the victims, two sharp knives, one cutlass, and nine torchlights used during the attack.
The police added that on October 8, 2025, acting on a tip-off and digital intelligence, operatives intercepted the remaining members of the gang, including Musa Umar and Hassan Isah, who were allegedly on their way to another planned robbery operation in Maitama, Abuja.
All suspects have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crime as investigations continue.
