The police have arraigned a security guard and 11 other suspects in connection with the murder of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, an anchor and producer with ARISE News, before a Federal Capital Territory court in Abuja.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command confirmed the arraignment on Wednesday, stating that the suspects were charged with a nine-count offence bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and murder.
Those arraigned are 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.
Maduagwu, 29, was killed alongside Danlami during an armed robbery attack at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja, in the early hours of September 29, 2025. The assailants reportedly stormed the three-storey apartment complex around 3:30 a.m., moving from flat to flat and dispossessing residents of valuables.
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The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, had at the time described the killing as “cruel and senseless,” stressing that such acts of violence had no place in society.
“Policemen moved to the scene and found her lying unconscious. She was immediately taken to Maitama General Hospital, where doctors attempted to resuscitate her using CPR, but she sadly did not survive,” Adewale said.
Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the suspects procured their firearms from an arms dealer operating across the Nigeria–Niger border.
Recovered items include a fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of live ammunition, a locally made pistol, a pump-action gun, two cartridges, four mobile phones belonging to the victims, knives, a cutlass and nine torchlights.
The suspects also reportedly confessed to involvement in other armed robbery operations at Katampe 1, a hotel in Apo and another location in Zuba, all within the Federal Capital Territory.
The case has been adjourned to February 2026 for further proceedings. The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883 or CRU FCT: 08107314192.
Maduagwu, fondly called Sommie by colleagues, joined ARISE News in September 2024 after representing Nigeria at the Miss Tourism World pageant in Quanzhou, China, in 2023. A trained lawyer, she was widely admired for her sharp analytical skills and advocacy against sexual and gender-based violence, as well as her work on issues affecting out-of-school children.
In a statement, ARISE News management described her as “intelligent, bold and deeply committed,” expressing shock over her death and calling for the swift prosecution of those responsible.
Her killing has reignited public concern over rising insecurity in Abuja, with renewed calls for enhanced policing and improved safety measures in residential areas.
Maduagwu’s death has left a deep void not only at ARISE News but across Nigeria’s journalism community, where she was regarded as a rising star whose passion and professionalism will continue to inspire a new generation of reporters.
