‘I Tried to Prevent Arise TV Anchor from Jumping’ — Suspect Allegedly Confesses to Police

 

According to a report by The Cable on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, reports indicate that Sani Sirajo, a suspect in the murder of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a news anchor for Arise TV, has informed authorities that he tried to catch her as she fell during the heist at Unique Apartments in Katampe, Abuja.

 

Twelve individuals, including security guard Barnabas Danlami and Somtochukwu, also known as Sommie, were apprehended on Thursday by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command on suspicion of being armed robbers.

Authorities say that on September 29, around fifteen masked men violently robbed the 16-unit Unique Apartments building, which is located on three stories, putting the lives of both residents and security guards in jeopardy.

The security guard was shot while trying to defend the property during the raid, and Sommie allegedly leaped from a high story. According to the police, Sirajo confessed to them that he attempted to steady Somtochukwu when she was about to fall, but that he was helpless against her heavy frame.

Shamsudeen Hassan, another suspect, admitted to being the one who shot the security guard while he fought off the invaders. Through the tracking of the mobile phones stolen during the heist, four of the suspects were quickly captured, according to the authorities.

The suspects’ possessions include four victims’ mobile phones, a pump-action gun, two live cartridges, a locally built AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammo, a handmade pistol, and more. Shamsudeen Hassan confessed to authorities that he fled the scene of the operation in a white Honda CR-V, according to the disclosure.

Furthermore, according to reports, the four individuals who were arrested admitted to taking ₦200,000 from the money that was taken. As officials try to determine the entire extent of the criminal activity, the police have stressed that investigations are continuing and that all suspects are still in jail.