Sani Sirajo, a suspect connected to the death of Arise TV news anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu, has reportedly told police that he tried to stop her from falling during the tragic incident.
On Thursday, authorities announced the arrest of 12 suspected armed robbers involved in the attack that also claimed the life of Barnabas Danlami, a security guard.
The incident occurred on September 29 when about 15 armed men stormed Unique Apartments, a 16-flat, three-storey building located in the Katampe area of the city.
During the invasion, the security guard was shot by the robbers, while Somtochukwu, popularly known as Sommie, reportedly jumped from the building.
In a statement, police said Sirajo admitted, “I held Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight.”
Another suspect, Shamsudeen Hassan, confessed to shooting the security guard when he tried to stop the robbers from entering the building. According to the police, Hassan also admitted, “I drove the white Honda CR-V jeep out of the apartment after the operation.”
Following the attack, four of the suspects were apprehended through tracking the phones stolen during the robbery. Recovered items from the suspects include a fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a locally made pistol, a pump-action gun, two live cartridges, and four of the victims’ mobile phones.
The police added, “During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed that he shot the security guard when he attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the apartment.”
The suspects also admitted to sharing the proceeds of the crime, with each receiving ₦200,000.
