09/10/2025
Armed Robbers Behind the Death of Arise News Staff Somtochukwu Maduagwu Arrested
The police have apprehended several suspects linked to the armed robbery that tragically led to the death of Arise News staff member, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu.
👥 List of Suspects:
1. Shamsudeen Hassan (Male) – Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
2. Hassan Isah (Male, 22) – Zaria, Kaduna State
3. Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba (Male, 27) – Musawa LGA, Katsina State
4. Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume (Male, 20) – Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
5. Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba (Male, 28) – Igabi LGA, Kaduna State
6. Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule (Male, 21) – Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
7. Abdul Salam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu (Male) – Katsina LGA, Katsina State
8. Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska (Male, 23) – Chikun LGA, Kaduna State
9. Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan (Male, 30) – Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State
10. Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby (Male, 27) – Sammaka LGA, Kaduna State
11. Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati (Male, 25) – Zaria LGA, Kaduna State
12. Musa Umar a.k.a. Small (Male, 31) – Maiduguri LGA, Borno State
🚨 Arrests & Confessions:
Following the robbery, four suspects—Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, and one other—were tracked and arrested through mobile phones stolen from the crime scene.
• Shamsudeen Hassan confessed to shooting the security guard who tried to stop them from entering the apartment.
• Sani Sirajo admitted attempting to prevent Somtochukwu from falling off the three-storey building but was unable to hold her due to her weight.
• Shamsudeen also revealed he drove away in the white Honda CR-V used during the operation.
• Each of the four suspects confirmed receiving ₦200,000 from the robbery proceeds.
🔍 Recovered Items:
• 1 fabricated AK-47 rifle
• 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition
• 1 locally made pistol
• 1 pump-action gun
• 2 live cartridges
• 4 mobile phones belonging to the victims
• 2 sharp knives
• 1 cutlass
• 9 torchlights used during the operation
🕵🏽♂️ Continued Investigation:
On October 8, 2025, acting on a tip-off and digital intelligence, police intercepted additional gang members—including Musa Umar a.k.a. Small and Hassan Isah—while en route to another planned robbery in Maitama.
All suspects have confessed. Investigations remain ongoing.
— Lere Olayinka