After ten days into the tragic killing of Arise Television news anchor and producer, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, the Nigeria Police have confirmed the arrest of 12 suspects linked to the armed robbery that led to her death.
Somtochukwu, fondly known as Sommie, was killed in the early hours of September 29 during a violent home invasion at her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja. A private security guard attached to the compound also lost his life in the attack.
In a statement released on Thursday, police authorities disclosed that the suspects have confessed to their roles in the crime. The arrests followed coordinated efforts, including the tracking of mobile phones stolen during the robbery.
The police said four of the suspects were apprehended shortly after the incident through intelligence gathered from the stolen devices.
One of the suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, reportedly confessed to shooting the security guard after he attempted to stop the intruders from gaining entry into the building.
Another suspect, Sani Sirajo, claimed he tried to prevent Sommie from falling from a storey building during the chaos but said he was overwhelmed by her weight.
The full list of suspects as released by the police includes:
1. Shamsudeen Hassan, male, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
2. Hassan Isah, 22, male, from Zaria, Kaduna State
3. Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba, 27, male, from Musawa LGA, Katsina State
4. Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume, 20, male, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
5. Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba, 28, male, from Igabi LGA, Kaduna State
6. Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule, 21, male, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
7. Abdul Salam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu, male, from Katsina LGA, Katsina State
8. Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska, 23, male, from Chikun LGA, Kaduna State
9. Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan, 30, male, from Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
10. Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby, 27, female, from Sammaka LGA, Kaduna State
11. Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati, 25, male, from Zaria LGA, Kaduna State
12. Musa Umar a.k.a. Small, 31, male, from Maiduguri LGA, Borno State
The police have assured that the investigation is ongoing and pledged that justice will be served in the case, which has sparked widespread outrage and calls for improved security in the capital.
