The Arise News family has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of one of its promising young journalists, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, who lost her life during an armed robbery attack at her residence in Katampe, Abuja, in the early hours of Monday.
Newsonspot reports that fondly called Sommie by colleagues and friends, Maduagwu was just 29 years old. Born on December 26, 1995, she was celebrated for her eloquence, professionalism, and passion for impactful journalism. Trained as a lawyer before transitioning into broadcasting, her legal background brought depth and intellectual rigour to her work on air.
In a statement released on Monday, the management of Arise News described her passing as a devastating blow to the organisation and the wider journalism community.
“It is with heavy hearts that the management and staff of the Arise News Channel announce the passing of our beloved colleague, News Anchor, Reporter and Producer, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu,” the statement signed by Hadiza Usman-Ajayi read.
The statement further revealed that Sommie’s tragic death followed an armed robbery incident now under police investigation.
“Sommie’s voice is now silent, but her spirit, passion and legacy will endure as part of our collective memory. We remain in shock and call for a speedy investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of the culprits,” it added.
The Nigeria Police have since confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
