The tragic death of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, the Arise News TV presenter last week throws the media industry into mourning while exposing the lapses in Nigeria’s security apparatus
The Nigerian media and broadcast industry have been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a rising presenter with ARISE News Television. She tragically lost her life during a violent robbery attack at her Abuja residence.
Maduagwu’s death occurred during an attack at an estate in Katampe, where armed men stormed the premises, overpowered the security and raided several apartments.
Eyewitness accounts had it that the robbers moved with precision, carting away vehicles, laptops, mobile phones, and other valuables from terrified residents.
An account shared by Trust TV revealed that the attackers were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, far beyond what the local Civilian Joint Task Force could confront.
A resident identified as Tijani explained that once the security detail was subdued, the assailants moved from flat to flat, compelling occupants to surrender their possessions under threats of violence.
Unlike in some previous cases where victims faced direct assault, reports suggested that residents who complied with the robbers’ instructions were largely spared from harm. However, for Somtochukwu, panic in the face of the invasion led to a heartbreaking decision.
When the armed gang forced their way into her apartment, she became overwhelmed by fear. In a desperate attempt to escape, the young journalist reportedly rushed to her balcony and jumped from the third floor of the building. The fall proved fatal, cutting short a promising career in Nigerian broadcasting.
In an unusual twist, Tijani disclosed that the robbers themselves tried to calm her down, urging her not to jump. “Police came just two or three minutes after those people left. The armed robbers were even begging the lady not to jump,” Tijani said. Unfortunately, the panic had already taken hold, and the outcome could not be reversed.
It was further gathered that one of the vigilantes attached to the sprawling compound, located in Katampe axis of Abuja, was shot dead by the armed robbers who were said to be 15 in number.
Aside from the vigilante that was killed, four other vigilantes, it was gathered, had their hands tied and locked up, as the one killed was said to have proved stubborn by refusing to surrender.
It was also learned that 10 flats, consisting of one-bedroom and 2-bedroom, were robbed by the robbers.
President Bola Tinubu has since directed security and law enforcement agencies to quickly conduct a thorough investigation into the death of Maduagwu and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice without delay.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, among others, mourned Maduagwu’s passing.
Relatives of the slain journalists alleged that the hospital staff initially declined treatment because identification documents had not been produced, a delay they said contributed to her death.
