Metro
How police arrested killers of Arise TV Anchor, Sommie Maduagwu – Witness tells court
The trial of the eleven accused persons linked to the murder of Arise News journalist and anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, during a robbery at her apartment, continued on Tuesday, with the third prosecution witness giving details of how arrests were made.
An Assistant Superintendent of Police and member of the Scorpion Squad, CID FCT Command, Mr Maxwell Eje, at Tuesday’s proceedings, told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory that the arrest of the accused persons began with Shamsu Hassan.
He said that the police discovered on September 30 that Hassan had fled to Zaria after the robbery at Unique Apartments in Katampe a day earlier, during which Miss Maduagwu jumped to her death from her three-storey apartment.
ASP Eje informed the court that Shamsu Hassan admitted to the crime and agreed to cooperate with the authorities to disclose the hideouts of others.
Hassan mentioned one Sani Surajo, who was receiving treatment at an unnamed hospital in Gosa, a suburb along the Airport Road in Abuja.
“Surajo was shocked at the sight of the security operatives of the Scorpion Squad at the hospital where he was receiving treatment,” the witness said.
“He too agreed to cooperate and assist with useful information on the whereabouts of others who took part in the robbery.”
The testimony of ASP Maxwell Eje did not get to the point of cross-examination, as Dennis Abu, counsel for the seventh to eleventh defendants, who also held brief for counsel to the first and third defendants, sought leave of the judge, Mohammed Idris, to attend a medical appointment.
This prompted an adjournment until Thursday, April 23, for the conclusion of the evidence-in-chief of the third prosecution witness and for cross-examination.
The prosecutor had earlier informed the court that he had two witnesses available at the start of Tuesday’s proceedings.
The FCT Police Commissioner had filed criminal charges against the 11 defendants bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder in connection with the September 29, 2025, armed robbery at Unique Apartments in Katampe, Abuja.
It was during the incident that Arise News anchor/journalist Somtochukwu “Sommie” Maduagwu and security guard Barnabas Danlami were killed.
The trial began on February 10, 2026, after earlier delays due to the absence of defendants and other issues.
The first prosecution witness, Sani Yusuf, a civil engineer and former resident of Unique Apartments, and the second, Fatou Toborteh, another former resident, have so far testified about the events of September 29.
Both described masked armed assailants raiding apartments but stated they could not identify any of the 11 defendants, who were masked during the attack.
The defendants are Shamsu Hassan, Sani Surajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, and Suleiman Badamosi. Others are Zaradeen Mohammed, Musa Umar ‘Aka’ Small, Mashikur Jamil, Suleiman Sani, and Abubakar Usman.
Metro
Police arrest 13 suspects over terrorism, banditry in Kebbi
The Kebbi State Police Command says it has arrested 13 suspects linked to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms and other offences across the state within the last one month.
The Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi on recent security operations and achievements recorded by the command.
Hadejia said the arrests were made through intelligence-led policing, coordinated operations and collaboration with other security agencies, vigilante groups, the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and other stakeholders.
According to him, the command remains committed to protecting lives and property while sustaining pressure on criminal elements operating in the state.
The commissioner said operatives of the Police Mobile Force attached to Illo Division in Bagudo Local Government Area arrested three suspected members of the Mamudawa/Boko Haram group along the Illo-Lolo Road on June 5.
The suspects, identified as Muhammadu Bandi, Aliyu Abubakar and Muhammadu Abubakar, were intercepted while riding a motorcycle allegedly to procure food supplies for criminal elements.
“Preliminary investigations linked the suspects to movements around the area during the attack that led to the killing of three Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, personnel in Illo on June 4,” Hadejia said.
He added that the suspects would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
The police commissioner also disclosed that four suspected Lakurawa bandits were arrested on June 7 along the Ka’oje-Bakin Ruwa Road in Bagudo Local Government Area.
“The suspects, identified as Haruna Abubakar, Abubakar Lawali, Anme Shehu and Yahaya Shehu, are being investigated for alleged involvement in armed banditry activities within the SODA Forest,” he said.
Hadejia further said operatives arrested one Murtala Sani of Zazzagawa Village in Argungu Local Government Area on June 9 for allegedly providing logistical support to suspected Lakurawa terrorists.
According to him, investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly supplied food items and soft drinks to the terrorists and was linked to the movement of a suspected terrorist member, Amadu Umar.
He further disclosed that police operatives arrested one Ayuba Ibrahim of Bakin Ruwa in Bagudo Local Government Area on June 11 for allegedly serving as an informant and supporter of bandits.
A pump-action rifle, three live cartridges and other items suspected to be connected to criminal activities were recovered from the suspect, according to the commissioner.
The command also arrested Aliyu Jibrin, 42, of Kwakware Village in Arewa Local Government Area, who was allegedly found in possession of a locally made pistol during a patrol operation at Makera Market.
Hadejia noted that the command had sustained aggressive patrols and tactical deployments across identified flashpoints, leading to improved security and enhanced protection of vulnerable communities.
He attributed the achievements to the dedication of police personnel, support from other security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), vigilante groups, the Civilian JTF and credible information provided by members of the public.
The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with useful information, assuring them that all reports would be treated confidentially.
Metro
Anambra: Police arrest two over disappearance of 33-year-old woman in Oraifite
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two persons over the disappearance of a 33 years old woman in the Oraifite area of the state.
The woman reportedly disappeared about three months ago.
The state police command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the arrests followed the transfer of the matter from Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID.
The police spokesman, in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, said, “We successfully uncovered the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and murder of a 33-year old woman and arrested two suspects in connection with the crime in Oraifite.
“The suspects all males include: Thankgod Ikechukwu Ikwugwara 26 years old and Makuochukwu Uzoigwe 20 years old respectively.
“The Case originated on 13th March, 2026, when the deceased’s mother reported her missing at the Oraifite Divisional Police Headquarters. The following day, 14th March, 2026, the lifeless body of an unidentified female was discovered inside a culvert near Jesus Bus Stop, Oraifite. The deceased’s father later identified the body as that of his missing daughter.
“Following the transfer of the Case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka for a comprehensive investigation, the Operatives leveraging on intelligence and digital forensic leads through sustained efforts eventually arrested the two suspects on 6th June, 2026.”
Ikenga said the suspects have confessed to the crime, with one of the suspects saying he was in a relationship with the victim, and responsible for murdering her.
He said: “During interrogation, the principal suspect, Thankgod Ikechukwu Ikwugwara, confessed to the murder. He stated that he had been in a relationship with the deceased for about three years and claimed he was unaware that she was married. He further alleged that after a disagreement with the deceased’s husband, he developed a strange illness which affected his sight and, out of resentment, plotted the attack.
“The suspect further confessed that on 13th March, 2026, he lured the deceased to his residence under the guise of seeking help due to illness. Upon her arrival, he and the second suspect allegedly attacked her with a machete, resulting in her death. The suspects subsequently disposed of the body in a culvert near Jesus Bus Stop, Oraifite, in the early hours of the following day.
“Both suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crime and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.”
Metro
Benue Links seeks public help to locate family of deceased passenger
The Benue Links management has appealed to the public for assistance in identifying and locating the family of a passenger identified as Mr Timothy, who reportedly died while travelling aboard one of its buses from Makurdi to Ihugh.
According to the transport company, the incident occurred on Tuesday as the vehicle approached Ihugh in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State.
In a statement on Tuesday by the management of the company’s Ihugh-Vandeikya Branch, the deceased boarded a Benue Links bus in Makurdi and was travelling towards Korinya, as indicated in the passenger manifest he completed before departure.
The company stated that the incident occurred as the vehicle approached Ihugh.
Benue Links emphasised that the death was not linked to any road traffic accident, noting that there was no collision or reported incident involving the bus during the journey.
Following the incident, Benue Links said it deposited the remains of the deceased at a mortuary in Ihugh to facilitate preservation and identification.
The company has appealed to members of the public who may know the deceased or his relatives to assist in notifying his family and directing them to contact the management of the Benue Links Ihugh-Vandeikya branch for identification and further arrangements.
The circumstances surrounding the cause of death have not been publicly disclosed.
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