The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arraigned eleven suspects in connection with the murder of anchor and lawyer, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami.
Maduagwu, a former beauty queen who represented Nigeria at the Miss Tourism World 2023, was killed in September 2025 and buried in her hometown in Anambra.
FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the suspects were arraigned on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, before the FCT High Court sitting in Jabi.
“The FCT Police Command has today, 21st January 2026, arraigned eleven (11) suspects linked to the murder of Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, Esq., an Anchor, Reporter, and Producer with ARISE News, and Mr. Barnabas Danlami, a security guard,” Adeh said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The defendants were charged with a nine-count charge bordering on “criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder.”
Those arraigned include Shamsu Hassan, Sani Sirajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, Suleiman Badamasi, Zaharadeen Mohammed, Musa Umar (also known as “Small”), Mashkur Jamil, Suleiman Sani, and Abubakar Usman.
The court adjourned the matter to February 2026 for further proceedings.
Maduagwu, 29, was a reporter and producer with Arise News. She was killed during a violent armed robbery at her residence, Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja, in the early hours of September 29, 2025.
During the attack, police said, Maduagwu, who lived on the third floor of the building, attempted to escape after learning that the assailants were approaching her flat.
In the process, she reportedly jumped from her balcony and sustained fatal injuries.
During the same incident, the security guard on duty, Danlami, was shot and killed by the attackers. The police had earlier arrested 12 suspects in October 2025 in connection with the attack.
The suspects pleaded not guilty and were subsequently remanded at the Kuje Correctional Facility. Trial dates were fixed for February 9, 10, and 12, 2026.
Maduagwu, a former beauty queen who represented Nigeria at the Miss Tourism World 2023 pageant, was laid to rest on October 18, 2025, in her hometown of Agulu, Anambra State.
Her death triggered widespread public outrage and reignited national conversations around insecurity in Abuja, as well as the enforcement of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, which mandates immediate medical attention for victims of gunshot and trauma injuries.
President Bola Tinubu also ordered an investigation into the anchor’s death, described her demise as “deeply saddening and tragic”, and condemned the manner in which her life was cut short.
He directed security and law enforcement agencies to swiftly investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
The FCT minister also stated that the police would ensure those responsible for Maduagwu’s death are brought to justice.
He prayed for the repose of Somtochukwu’s soul, noting that her passing was a significant loss not only to the Arise News family but also to the Nigerian media and the nation.
