Robbery suspect reveals moment before Arise News anchor Maduagwu died

Sani Sirajo, one of the 12 suspects arrested for robbing the Abuja estate, where Arise News journalist, late Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu lived, has recounted a moment preceding her death.

According to a police statement, Sirajo confessed that he tried to prevent Maduagwu from jumping off from the balcony of her apartment but he was “overwhelmed by her weight.” Maduagwu and a security guard, who bravely confronted the robbers, were the two casualties from the incident.

Nigeria Police, on Thursday, announced the suspects’ arrest. They are Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah, 22; Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba, 27; Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume, 20; and Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba, 28. Also arrested are Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule, 21; Abdul Salam Saleh a.k.a. Na-Durudu; Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. Gwaska, 23; Musa Adamu a.k.a. Musa Hassan, 30; and Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby, 27. The others are Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati, 25; Musa Umar a.k.a. Small, 31.

The police said they initially arrested four suspects who were in possession of the robbery victims’ phones. The confession from the suspects–Shamsudeen Hassan, Abubakar Alkamu, Sani Sirajo, and another–led to the arrest of the other gang members. The suspects reportedly confessed to getting ₦200,000 each from the sale of the victims’ valuables. Furthermore, the police recovered weapons, ammunition, and some of valuables belonging to the victims.

They are one fabricated AK-47 rife, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a locally made pistol, one pump-action gun, two live cartridges, and four mobile phones belonging to the victims. Other exhibits are two sharp knives, one cutlass, and nine torchlights. The police also said it has launched a manhunt for fleeing members of the robbery gang.