ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Wednesday arraigned 11 suspects in the brutal September 29, 2025 robbery-homicide that claimed the lives of Arise News anchor Somtochukwu “Sommie” Maduagwu (29) and security guard Barnabas Danlami.
The suspects – named by police as Shamsu Hassan, Sani Sirajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, Suleiman Badamasi, Zaharadeen Mohammed, Musa Umar (“Small”), Mashkur Jamil, Suleiman Sani, and Abubakar Usman – appeared at the FCT High Court. They faced charges of criminal conspiracy. Armed robbery and murder charges were also brought against them.
They pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned to February 2026. Police have emphasised that swift justice is a priority. FCT Police Spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh reassures the public. They are committed to “ensuring justice for the victims” .
Details of the Katampe Robbery and Victims
Police statements and court documents reveal that armed robbers struck at Unique Apartments. This incident occurred in the Katampe Extension (Mabushi area) around 3:30am on Sept 29, 2025.
The assailants moved flat-to-flat stealing valuables. In the chaos, Maduagwu reportedly fell three storeys while trying to escape. Maduagwu is an Arise News anchor and producer.
Security officers found her unconscious and rushed her to Maitama General Hospital, where doctors were unable to revive her. Barnabas Danlami was shot and killed by one of the gang as he tried to stop them entering the compound, police later learned.
FCT Commissioner of Police Ajao Adewale condemned the slaying as “cruel and senseless.” He reiterated that violence has “no place in a sane society.”
Arise News described Maduagwu as “delectable, intelligent and bold,” noting her recent work on children’s welfare and gender-based violence. Her death shocked many and underscored how violent crime can intrude even into supposedly safe communities.
Investigation, Arrests and Confessions
Within days of the attack, the FCT “Scorpion Squad” – an elite robbery-busting unit – spearheaded a coordinated manhunt. Unusually, police enlisted digital forensics technology. Operatives used intelligence from Giga Forensics. It is a subsidiary of the tech firm EIB STRATOC. They tracked the killers’ movements.
Detectives traced mobile phones stolen from the victims. This action helped identify and arrest four suspects. These suspects include Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, and Sani Sirajo. The arrests were made within a week.
Subsequent raids across northern Nigeria rounded up the remaining suspects.
During interrogation, key confessions emerged: Hassan admitted firing the fatal shot that killed Danlami as he tried to block the entrance.
Witnesses say Sirajo was with Maduagwu on the balcony during the escape. He told police he had tried to prevent her fall.
All the accused later confessed to taking part in multiple armed robbery operations across the FCT. These included residential raids and attacks on a hotel in Apo. There was also another attack in Zuba.
These revelations suggest a mobile criminal syndicate, not a one-off gang. Notably, police revealed the gang’s weapons were supplied via cross-border arms dealers. Investigations found their firearms came from dealers operating along the Nigeria–Niger border. This highlights the transnational dimension of the arms trade fueling local crime.
Evidence and Recovered Items
Police say the suspects surrendered a cache of weapons and loot. Recovered items include:
A fabricated AK-47 assault rifle was found with 36 live 9mm rounds. There was a locally made pistol, a pump-action shotgun, and additional cartridges. Stolen mobile phones, which were the victims’ devices, were recovered. Bladed weapons included two knives and a cutlass. Nine torchlights were used to facilitate the dark-night raid.
Investigators highlighted that the robbers had forcibly taken personal effects (phones, cash) as they swept through the complex.
In total, police report the gang shared roughly ₦2.2 million among themselves from stolen proceeds. They have handed all exhibits to the court as evidence.
Alarming Crime Trends and Economic Impact
Maduagwu’s killing is symptomatic of a larger spike in violent crime in Nigeria. Recent surveys paint a harrowing picture. A National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) crime survey (May 2023–Apr 2024) found Nigerians suffered some 52 million criminal incidents in just one year.
Kidnapping for ransom is epidemic – households paid an estimated ₦2.3 trillion over 12 months to free abducted relatives.
In the FCT, crimes like armed robbery and carjackings actually rose in 2023 (before dipping slightly in 2024). Worryingly, only about 36% of home robberies were reported to police, reflecting public distrust of law enforcement.
This surge in violence has economic consequences. Analysts warn that persistent insecurity “erodes investor confidence and dampens investment appetite,” undercutting Nigeria’s growth.
The cost of crime diverts private and public funds into security. For ordinary Nigerians, the toll is immense: the NBS survey showed kidnapping victims paid on average ₦2.67 million each to ransom payers.
Businesses, too, face higher insurance premiums and must budget for armed guards and surveillance.
International agencies note that improvements in safety are necessary. Without these improvements, Nigeria risks repelling the foreign investment needed to grow jobs and the economy.
Press Freedom, Impunity and Outcry
The murder of a journalist has also reignited concerns over press safety. Nigeria’s media has long operated under threat. In the latest global rankings, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) placed Nigeria 122nd out of 180 countries for press freedom. It is now down ten places.
By comparison, Ghana was ranked 52nd. Observers note that Nigeria remains “one of the most dangerous places to practice journalism” in West Africa.
A 2018 Committee to Protect Journalists report ranked Nigeria near the bottom on impunity for slain reporters. It noted that 99% of journalist murders go unsolved.
Within hours of Maduagwu’s death, colleagues and advocacy groups demanded accountability. The Nigeria Union of Journalists and civil society figures led public calls for tighter security in Abuja and speedy prosecutions.
In media reports, citizens expressed outrage at the senseless loss. As one editorial noted, such violence “has no place in a sane society,” echoing the Commissioner’s condemnation .
Ongoing Proceedings and Vigilance
The court case will continue in February 2026. The prosecution is expected to present evidence and testimony against the 11 accused. Police urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activities.
In its arraignment statement, the FCT command reminded the public of emergency hotlines. These are 08032003913, 08028940883, and CRU FCT: 08107314192. The public is encouraged to use them for tips on suspected threats.
The murder of an anchor in her own home has shaken Abuja’s middle-class communities. Investigators say the swift arrests show a determined response.
Until the trial concludes, authorities say they will maintain an intensive presence in Katampe and other high-risk areas.
The case underscores the complex nexus of crime, media freedom and economic stability in Nigeria. With over a dozen suspects now facing trial, the nation will watch closely. People are eager to see if the justice system can end the culture of impunity around violent crime.
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