Sani Sirajo, a suspect linked to the death of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, the Arise TV news anchor, has reportedly confessed to police that he tried to prevent the deceased from jumping from the storey building.

On Thursday, the police announced the arrest of 12 suspected armed robbers involved in the incident that led to the death of Somtochukwu, popularly known as Sommie, and Barnabas Danlami, a security guard.

On September 29, about 15 armed men invaded Unique Apartments, a 16-flat three-storey building in the Katampe area of the city.

The armed robbery incident led to the death of Maduagwu and the security guard.

During the incident, the security guard was shot by the armed robbers, while Sommie was said to have jumped from the three-storey building.

• Maduagwu: Police arrest suspects involved in death of Arise TV presenter

In a statement, the police said Sirajo confessed that he held Maduagwu from falling off the storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight.

The police said Shamsudeen Hassan, another suspect, confessed to have shot the security guard when he attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the building.

The police disclosed that shortly after the incident, four of the suspects were arrested through the tracking of the phones stolen from the building.

Items recovered from the suspects include: a fabricated AK-47 rifle; 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition; one locally made pistol; one pump-action gun; two live cartridges; and four mobile phones of the victims.

“During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed that he shot the security guard when he attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the apartment,” the statement reads.

“Sani Sirajo confessed to have tried to hold Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight.

“Shamsudeen further confessed that he drove the white Honda CR-V jeep out of the apartment after the operation. The four suspects admitted that they each received ₦200,000 from the proceeds of the crime.”