Contrary to earlier reports that Arise TV Anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu was shot dead by armed robbers, fresh facts emerging says she jumped out of her apartment through the window on hearing the commotion from the robbery from adjoining flats.
This was disclosed by a family friend, Kaanayo Nwachukwu, as reported by Sahara Reporters.
According to Nwachukwu, armed robbers stormed the six-flat apartment complex where Somtochukwu, popularly called Sommie, lived, moving from one apartment to another, dispossessing residents of their belongings. Although the police were reportedly alerted, they failed to show up on time.
Terrified by the commotion from adjoining flats, Maduagwu attempted to escape before the robbers reached her apartment. She jumped out of her window, sustaining severe injuries from the fall.
Nwachukwu revealed that when police eventually arrived minutes later, Maduagwu was still alive.
“Sommie lived in a block of six flats in the FCT suburb of Katampe.
“Initial reports said she was attacked and killed during an armed robbery operation. That wasn’t the case.
“The armed robbers came to her apartment complex. They went from one flat to another, robbing their occupants. The police were called, but they didn’t show. The commotion that trailed the robberies (which she heard from her flat) caused fear to grip Sommie. So, before the robbers made it to her own apartment, she jumped out through the window.
“A few minutes after she hit the ground and hurt herself pretty badly, the police finally arrived.
“Sommie was still alive when they did”, Nwachukwu narrated.
He said eyewitnesses said “Sommie begged and begged the police (profusely) to take her to the hospital for immediate medical treatment, but they (the police) said they had no fuel in their vehicle with which to do so.
“So, Sommie managed to put a call through to her mum’s best friend who lives close to her in Abuja (since her parents live in Port Harcourt). Before the woman could get to her, she had turned cold – gone: dead,” Nwachukwu wrote.
“That’s how Nigeria happened to this young, vibrant, promising star. SAD!!! Rest in peace, Somtochukwu. That’s How Nigeria Happened to This Promising Star.”
In his emotional account, Nwachukwu described the tragedy as avoidable, calling it a failure of the Nigerian system.
“I know Sommie because I’m a friend of her mum. It took her mum 10 solid years to have Sommie after she got married. Her two younger siblings came later,” he said.
“After high school in Nigeria, her parents sent her to the UK to study law. On graduation, she returned to Nigeria and attended law school therein. Arise TV hired her in 2024,” he wrote.
Sommie, 29, died in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025 after the robbery incident at kamtape area of Abuja.
Meanwhile, Arise TV News today’s report circulating on social media said the late Sommie was denied medical treatment by the Maitama General hospital on the grounds of no ID and police report.
The management of the Arise News Channel had yesterday 29th September 2025, issued a statement, announcing her death and expressing condolences to her parents, siblings, extended family, and loved ones, while calling on the Nigeria Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident and the swift arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.