By Lawal AbdulMalik-
The Nigerian media landscape is engulfed in mourning, following the tragic news of the passing of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu. Known affectionately as ‘Sommie,’ the beloved news anchor, reporter, and producer for ARISE News died under harrowing, preventable circumstances on Monday, September 29, 2025.
TRAGIC DEATH : SOMTOCHUKWU CHRISTELLE MADUAGWU
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
December 26, 1995 – September 29, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that the management and staff of the ARISE News Channel announce the passing of our beloved colleague, News Anchor, Reporter and Producer, Somtochukwu… pic.twitter.com/2tYvU7wNrB
— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) September 29, 2025
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
Her sudden demise, stemming from an armed robbery at her Abuja residence, has brought harsh national attention to the failure of emergency services and persistent insecurity. Tributes continue to pour in for the 29-year-old lawyer, media professional, and former pageant runner-up who was a vibrant voice on Nigerian television.
REMEMBERING SOMMIE AND BARNABAS, ONE WEEK LATER
One week after the death of Arise News anchor, Sommie Maduagwu and a security man, Barnabas Danladi, during an attack by armed robbers at the Unique Apartment in the Katampe District of Abuja, security operatives are yet to arrest… pic.twitter.com/BS9Mflv9SI
— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) October 6, 2025
The catastrophic sequence of events leading up to the Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu death unfolded in the early hours of Monday morning at a private residential building in the Gishiri axis of Katampe, Abuja.
Gishiri road, area of Katampe, Abuja. Pic: Popoola Ademola, Premium Times
(CU) Vigilante Post at Gishiri Junction, Abuja. Pic: Popoola Ademola, Premium Times
(CU) Vigilante Post at Gishiri Junction, Abuja. Pic: Popoola Ademola, Premium Times
Reports indicate that armed robbers gained illegal access to the Unique Apartment complex, where Sommie resided on the topmost, third floor. It is a 18 flats around the Gishiri axis of Katampe, under the Mabushi Divisional Area.
Home of the deceased, 29-year-old Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a news anchors at Arise TV, and the private security officers, Barnabas: Photo credit Premium Times
Police later confirmed that two security guards were present, one of whom sustained a gunshot wound attempting to challenge the heavily armed assailants. This confrontation dramatically escalated the already volatile situation for the residents. Compounding the residents’ vulnerability, neighbours noted the estate’s CCTV system was non-functional at the time of the invasion.
Signboard of Mabushi Police Station, Abuja: Pic: Popoola Ademola, Premium Times.
Experiencing extreme, unimaginable fear as the robbers ransacked the building, Sommie desperately sought an escape route from her apartment on the third floor. Out of sheer terror and desperation in those terrifying moments, she reportedly made the fateful decision to leap from her window. The devastating fall left her critically injured and unconscious on the ground below.
It is reported that handsets and cash in a wallet were found to have been stolen by the robbers.
While initial calls for help were made swiftly by neighbours, police officers, although dispatched, reportedly arrived late to the scene.
Upon discovering the presenter’s critically injured body, officers immediately transported her to Maitama General Hospital for urgent medical attention. What transpired next has ignited widespread outrage and solidified claims of systemic failure right from the beginning of the terrifying incident to the end.
Sommie arrived at the hospital critically injured, but still alive. Hospital staff, however, allegedly refused to treat her immediately, citing the lack of identification and paperwork. Despite the visible trauma and the urgency of the emergency, she was reportedly left unattended.
Her colleagues, including ARISE News anchors Ojy Okpe and Ayo Mairo-Ese, later spoke out with grief and fury, asserting that the hospital failed their sister.
By the time someone arrived with her ID, Sommie had tragically succumbed to her injuries while still awaiting treatment. This failure to administer prompt care tragically cemented the systemic issues surrounding the Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu death.
ARISE News formally announced the passing of their beloved colleague via their official X.com page. The management’s leadership, including Chairman Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Deputy Managing Director Mr. Bayo Awosemo, Director of News Sumner Sambo, and Director of Corporate Services Christopher Isiguzo, later visited the Maduagwu family residence in Port Harcourt to offer condolences. The news network stated: “Sommie’s voice is now silent, but her spirit, passion, and legacy will endure as part of our collective memory.”
Numerous public figures, including Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and the Minister for Information, Mohammed Idris, Former Governor of Anambra State & LP Presidential Candidate, 2023 Peter Obi have paid tributes to the late news anchor. They have expressed profound grief. Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, born December 26, 1995, had a career marked by bold conviction and intellectual depth.
Rest in Peace, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu
I am deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely death of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a brilliant young anchor with Arise News, who was killed in the most painful circumstances during a robbery attack in Abuja.
At only 29,… pic.twitter.com/DeGBu65eJT
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) September 29, 2025
She was eloquently described by those who knew her as ‘delectable,’ ‘intelligent,’ and ‘bold.’ The 29-year-old barrister, Maduagwu first gained widespread attention when she participated in and won the Miss Tourism Nigeria pageant, later representing the nation at the Miss Tourism World pageant in Quanzhou, China, in 2023.
Sommie joined the ARISE NEWS team in September 2024 as a News Anchor, Producer, and Reporter. Through a compelling blend of her legal dexterity and reportorial vigour, Sommie advocated passionately for out-of-school children and campaigned energetically against sexual and gender-based violence. She was also a philanthropist who helped a number of students with their school fees.
One of her most recent coverages involved the Submission of a Memorandum for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill held on September 21st, where she advocated for stronger representation for Nigerian women. The very ambitious news anchor expressed an interest in one day going into politics with the goal of contributing to the improvement of Nigeria.
Her passing raises urgent questions about accountability. Why did the police response lack adequate speed? Why was the estate’s security infrastructure compromised? One would have thought that security will be given the utmost of seriousness.
Crucially, why do public hospitals in Nigeria delay life-saving emergency care over procedural paperwork? Health care in Nigeria is saddled with bureaucracy. It has long been the routine practise that patients admitted to hospital first deliver a bonified identification of themselves, after which they must make a payment to the hospital which must be processed before they are seen.
Perhaps it is time for Nigeria and its leaders to think deeply about transforming its medical infrastructure and efficiency in responding to emergency situations. It remains to be seen what changes will be made after this very sad occurrence.
The Commissioner of Police confirmed the investigation remains active, asserting a special unit has been established to apprehend the armed robbers. However, the community demands authorities secure swift justice, not only for the robbery but also for the institutional negligence contributing to her untimely loss.
Arise News has also called for the hospital that rejected the news anchor and the police who were initially called to be thoroughly investigated.
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar