Eleven suspects have been arraigned before a court in the Federal Capital Territory over the murder of Arise News journalist, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command confirmed the arraignment on Wednesday, stating that the suspects are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder.
Maduagwu, an anchor, reporter, and producer with Arise News Television, was killed alongside Danlami during an armed robbery attack on September 29, 2025, at Unique Apartments in Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja. The assailants reportedly stormed the apartment complex in the early hours of the morning, robbing residents before the fatal attack.
Those arraigned include Shamsu Hassan, Sani Sirajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, Suleiman Badamasi, Zaharadeen Mohammed, Musa Umar (also known as “Small”), Mashkur Jamil, Suleiman Sani, and Abubakar Usman. According to police, the suspects were charged on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, had earlier described the killing as “cruel and senseless,” adding that officers who arrived at the scene found Maduagwu unconscious and rushed her to Maitama General Hospital, where efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.
Police investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly sourced firearms from an arms dealer operating across the Nigeria–Niger border. Items recovered from them include a fabricated AK-47 rifle, live ammunition, a locally made pistol, a pump-action gun, mobile phones belonging to the victims, and other weapons.
The suspects also reportedly confessed to involvement in other robbery operations within Katampe, Apo, and Zuba areas of the FCT.
Arise Television described Maduagwu as intelligent and passionate about journalism, noting her advocacy for out-of-school children and campaigns against sexual and gender-based violence.
The case has been adjourned to February 2026 for further hearing. The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the command’s emergency lines.
