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News Channel is mourning the tragic death of Somtochukwu Christelle “Sommie” Maduagwu, a 29-year-old journalist who was killed in an armed robbery in her home in the Katampearea of Abuja during the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025.
A statement from Arise News, signed by Hadiza Usman-Ajayi on behalf of management, described Sommie as a vibrant, passionate broadcaster whose connection with her viewers, professionalism, and warmth made her a beloved colleague and friend. She was trained as a lawyer as well as a journalist, also working as a reporter and producer.
Following her death, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has launched a discreet and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the attack. The Police Commissioner, Ajao Adewale, described the killing as a “cruel and senseless act that has no place in a sane society.” He has directed intelligence and operational units to identify, track, and apprehend those responsible.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues, legal professionals, and media institutions. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory Council, described her passing as a devastating loss not only to her immediate family and the Arise News team, but to the entire Nigerian media industry.
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah also expressed deep grief, calling her death “highly condemnable” and “a heavy loss to both her medium and the entire Nigerian media industry.” He urged security agencies to fully investigate and bring her killers to book. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu joined the chorus of sorrow, commending her professionalism and expressing condolences to her family and the media sector.
President Bola Tinubu similarly reacted, describing her death as “cruel and condemnable,” and called on security and law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to ensure justice is done.
The loss of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu comes at a time of rising concern over the safety of journalists and citizens in Abuja and across Nigeria. Her death underscores persistent vulnerabilities even in residential neighborhoodsand highlights the urgency of improving security measures for individuals in the media who are often operating under pressure.
Her legacy is more than her untimely death: colleagues remember her for dedication, integrity, and the clarity she brought to issues she covered. Many hope that her passing will catalyze stronger protections for journalists and renewed focus by authorities on preventing such tragedies.
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