Arise TV: They weren’t assassins, stop spreading fake news, Sommie’s neighbour warns
A neighbour of Arise TV Anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu has debunked speculations on the internet, urging the general public to desist from peddling fake news regarding the shocking death of the former TV presenter which occurred in their residence on Monday, September 29.
Amidst devastation, the concerned neighbour recounted the pathetic condition in which she found the former beauty queen and staff of Arise News TV, lying motionlessly on the ground, faced down, shortly after the robbery attack.
Meanwhile, the death of the 29-year-old reporter threw Nigerians into mourning, as Arise TV management announced that the police were investigating the case.
The neighbour lamented that the most heartbreaking part of it all was that no one noticed Somtochukwu for so long until she went downstairs.
Upon seeing Somtochukwu, the neighbour said she screamed for a car and claimed the mobile police showed no urgency.
Another version of the story alleged that the police could not convey Somtochukwu to the hospital, saying they do not have fuel in their van.
According to the terrified neighbour, their compound is situated in Katampe area, close to the Mabushi axis, shortly after the Bannex bridge.
In a series of X posts, the shaken neighbour warned that people should stop insinuating that the robbers were assassins, as they carried out the robbery operation of the 18 apartments in less than 15 minutes.
However, the neighbour could scarcely explain how Somtochukwu died, but they found her lying flat in the pool of her blood, with no undies on. She tweeted:
“Need people to stop spreading this agenda that were assassin’s. they robbed a whole 18 apartment in less than 15-mins. we all don’t have a conclusive reason on how she died because we found her laying flat in her blood, with no pants on.”
She lamented that Somtochukwu’s whereabouts were not sought, as no one noticed for so long, until she went downstairs and found the journalist lying in her pool of blood, with her face on the floor.
She said a neighbour gave Somtochukwu cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but it was too late as she had already passed away. She noted that the mobile police showed no urgency in helping the journalist.
“The most heartbreaking part was no one noticed her for so long—until i went downstairs to see wt’f just happened to us & found her lying face down. i was screaming for a car, but the mobile police had no urgency. a neighbor tried his best, gave her cpr, but she was gone.”
She estimated that the robbers were up to 15 and split up to operate faster.
“To clarify — there were 4 men in my apartment, but about 15 in total robbing the whole building. they split up to move faster.”
Reactions trail Somtochukwu’s neighbour’s account
Famousreporters.com has compiled some reactions to the woman’s account below:
@Stimens_TreaT said:
“But one guy was saying something else.”
@MsDeeisBoolish said:
“Really sorry about all the horrific ordeal you went through. I’m truly sorry for your loss. Praying for healing for you.”
@AdachukwuQ32941 said:
“Hmmmm. Thought they said she died in the hospital.”
@Mz_Kammyy said:
“I feel so sad. Imagine how much pain she was going through in her last moments , with no one by her side.
“Rip Sommie.
“And, sorry about your experience. I can’t even imagine how traumatized you are.”
Nigerians react to Somtochukwu Maduagwu’s death
“This is horrible”: Somtochukwu’s courageous act before death during robbery explained in fresh clip
Fresh twist in Arise TV reporter’s death as X user shares painful details of her tragic Passing.
Earlier, another neighbour also listed the items the robbers stole from the 16 flats in the residence, adding that both Sommie and the security officer died in the course of the incident .
Her X post read: “About past 3 am, i woke up stark naked to about 4 armed men who broke down my door & rushed in with matchete & guns. They robbed all 18 flats in my building—cash, electronics, 2 cars (1 being a diplomatic car)—killed 2 people (sommie & a security). still traumatized & in shock.”
In a related development, a statement issued on X (formerly Twitter) by Hadiza Usman-Ajayi on behalf of the station’s management, the channel described the young broadcaster, fondly called Sommie, as “a cherished member of the ARISE News family and a vibrant voice that engaged and connected with our viewers.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians have expressed outrage and grief over the killing of Somtochukwu and the security guard,
This is even as millions of Nigerians have, amidst agony, decried the spate of insecurity ravaging the country.
