Arise TV Anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, Dies After Robbery Attack in Abuja

Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a 29-year-old news anchor and producer with Arise Television, has died after a robbery attack at her apartment in the Katampe district of Abuja.

Maduagwu, fondly called Sommie, was also a lawyer and former first runner-up at Miss Tourism Nigeria. She had closed from her Sunday night shift at Arise TV around 11 pm before returning to her residence at Unique Apartments.

In the early hours of Monday, armed men stormed the compound, robbing residents. According to eyewitnesses, Maduagwu, who lived on the top floor, panicked as the intruders approached her flat and tried to escape through the balcony. She jumped and landed on the concrete floor, sustaining fatal injuries. She was rushed to a hospital but later pronounced dead.

Tragically, Barnabas, a security guard at the compound, was also killed during the incident. He was stabbed while attempting to resist the robbers.

When police officers visited the building on Tuesday, several young men from nearby shanties, a driver to one of the residents, and a second security guard were taken into custody for questioning.

Residents revealed that key safety measures in the building had failed on the night of the attack. CCTV cameras were reportedly not working, while the compound’s inverter system had broken down, leaving the entire apartment block in darkness as the armed men struck. Occupants of the building are said to pay as much as N5 million annually for a two-bedroom flat.

Reacting to the tragedy, Ajao Adewale, commissioner of police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), described the attack as a “cruel and senseless act” and ordered a discreet and comprehensive investigation.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described Maduagwu’s death as a “grievous loss” to the media industry and promised a thorough probe. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike also vowed to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

President Bola Tinubu, in a condolence message, said he received the news with “deep sorrow” and called for a swift investigation.

Colleagues at Arise TV said her sudden death has left the newsroom in shock and her family in mourning. A delegation from the station is expected to visit her hometown of Port Harcourt to condole with her family.