ABUJA – The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ajao Adewale, has provided new details on the tragic death of Arise News anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, clarifying reports surrounding the incident.
Speaking on Tuesday, Adewale explained that Maduagwu died after jumping from the third floor of her residence in Katampe, Abuja, during a robbery attack in the early hours of Monday.
According to him, armed men stormed Unique Apartments, an 18-flat, three-storey building where Maduagwu lived. During the attack, one of the private security guards on duty was shot while trying to resist the intruders.
“Maduagwu, who lived on the top floor, attempted to escape by jumping from her apartment. Sadly, she sustained fatal injuries. She was rushed to Maitama General Hospital, where doctors tried to resuscitate her, but she could not make it,” Adewale said.
The police chief described the incident as a “cruel and senseless act,” assuring that a special investigation team, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of investigations, had been deployed to track down the perpetrators.
“We will leave no stone unturned to ensure those responsible are brought to justice,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara expressed shock over the death of the 29-year-old journalist and lawyer, hailing her as “one of the shining stars” produced by the state.
“Somtochukwu was not only a brilliant journalist but also an embodiment of humility, resilience, and hope for Nigerian youths. Her loss is a tragedy for her family, Rivers State, and Nigeria as a whole,” Fubara said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi.
Also mourning her, Minister of Works David Umahi described Maduagwu’s passing as an “irreparable loss” to the media industry. He called for justice and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend those behind the attack.
Both leaders extended condolences to Maduagwu’s family, colleagues at Arise News, and all Nigerians mourning her untimely death.
