Authorities have confirmed the arrest of 12 suspects in connection with the brutal armed robbery that claimed the life of Arise Television anchor and producer, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, popularly known as Sommie.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of September 29, when armed robbers stormed her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja.
During the attack, both Sommie and a private security guard assigned to the property were killed.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Nigeria Police revealed that several of the suspects had already confessed to their roles in the crime.
The investigation, according to police, was aided by tracking mobile phones stolen during the robbery, which led to the early arrest of four individuals.
One of the arrested suspects, Shamsudeen Hassan, admitted to fatally shooting the security guard as he attempted to stop the assailants from entering the home.
Another suspect, Sani Sirajo, claimed he tried to catch Sommie as she fell from a storey building but said her weight overwhelmed him.
Full List of Arrested Suspects:
- Shamsudeen Hassan (Male) – Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
- Hassan Isah (22, Male) – Zaria, Kaduna State
- Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba (27, Male) – Musawa LGA, Katsina State
- Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume (20, Male) – Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
- Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba (28, Male) – Igabi LGA, Kaduna State
- Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule (21, Male) – Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
- Abdul Salam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu (Male) – Katsina LGA, Katsina State
- Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska (23, Male) – Chikun LGA, Kaduna State
- Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan (30, Male) – Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
- Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby (27, Female) – Sammaka LGA, Kaduna State
- Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati (25, Male) – Zaria LGA, Kaduna State
- Musa Umar a.k.a. Small (31, Male) – Maiduguri LGA, Borno State
The police continue their investigation while the suspects remain in custody.
Authorities have reassured the public of their commitment to ensuring justice is served for the slain journalist and her guard.
