January 22, (THEWILL) — The wheels of justice have begun to turn following the brutal September 2024 robbery that claimed the lives of Arise News journalist Somtochukwu Maduagwu and security guard Barnabas Danlami.
On Wednesday, the FCT Police Command arraigned eleven suspects before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
The defendants face a nine-count charge including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder.
Those brought before the court were identified as Shamsu Hassan, Sani Sirajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, Suleiman Badamasi, Zaharadeen Mohammed, Musa Umar (alias “Small”), Mashkur Jamil, Suleiman Sani, and Abubakar Usman.
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of September 29, 2025, when a gang of armed men stormed Unique Apartments in the Katampe Extension area of Mabushi.
The assailants moved systematically from flat to flat, terrorizing residents and looting valuables. During the violent encounter, Maduagwu, a 29-year-old producer and anchor, was fatally attacked alongside Danlami.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, recounted the grim details of the recovery, stating that officers found the journalist unconscious at the scene.
Despite a rapid evacuation to Maitama General Hospital, efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful. Adewale condemned the act as a “cruel and senseless” assault on a promising life.
According to Police Spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh, the investigation uncovered a cross-border criminal network. The gang allegedly sourced its firepower from an arms dealer operating along the Nigeria–Niger border.
Police displayed a chilling array of recovered evidence, including a fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of live ammunition, a locally made pistol, a pump-action gun, and several weapons of intimidation, including knives and a cutlass. Crucially, four mobile phones belonging to the victims were also recovered from the suspects.
Interrogations revealed that the gang’s activities were not isolated to Katampe. The suspects reportedly confessed to a string of robberies targeting a hotel in Apo and residential areas in Zuba.
The management of Arise Television released a poignant tribute to their fallen colleague, describing Maduagwu as a courageous and outstanding journalist.
A former Miss Tourism World representative for Nigeria, Maduagwu was a trained lawyer who had dedicated her career to advocacy for out-of-school children and victims of gender-based violence.
The court has adjourned the proceedings until February 2026. As the trial looms, the FCT police have renewed their call for public vigilance, urging residents to utilize emergency command lines to report suspicious movements within the capital.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
