UPDATE: ‘Sommie did not jump out of the balcony
*Read full account of what happened to Arise TV Journalist
By Charity Uwakwe
The tragic death news of Arise TV presenter, the late Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu has continued to elucidate reactions from concerned citizens of Nigeria both home and in the diaspora. This is even as many different stories spring up from every nook and cranny of the country, all in the quest to ascertain if truly the rising star whose light was put off at her prime, actually jumped from her apartment which was situated on the last floor of a three-storey building located at Katampe area of Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT), of Nigeria.
It will be recalled that late Sommie, as she was fondly addressed by her friends and colleagues, was a victim of a heavy armed robbery operation.
The terror-striking incident occurred at the wee hours of Monday, September 29, 2025, when a gang of heavily armed robbers invaded the building which housed the Anambra born lady and staff of Arise TV.
The story has, ever since its occurrence, taken different twists as various versions of the incident surrounding her tragi death continually emerge nonstop.
Earlier, it was alleged that the 29-years-old Lawyer turned Journalist amidst panic, threw herself down from the last floor all in a bid to escape being robbed or perhaps maimed or assaulted by the fierce-looking gang of robbers. Similarly, another version of the story was that one of the robbers had pleaded with Sommie not to jump from the height but she allegedly turned deaf ears to the appeal.
These seemingly incredible stories which some right thinking members of the society tagged a figment of the minds of the fabricators, in an attempt to dissemble the true account of what transpired, have evidently, left virtually everyone in a stark shock. This is even as many cannot help but wonder why in the world, Sommie had, of all other options, resorted to jumping from a three storey-building upon sighting the hoodlums in her apartment.
“This story is a pure fallacy”, Famous Reporters had overheard some concerned persons mutter in disbelief of the perceived make-believe story, as released by the Nigerian police.
However, contrary to the seemingly falsified information which has travelled far across the internet like the wildfire, Sommie’s fall from the top floor to the ground was a glaring inadvertent act. She had run to the balcony of her apartment in search of safety upon hearing the scary sounds of the robbers as they broke into her apartment leaving the atmosphere horrified.
But, was Sommie traumatized, yes! She definitely was! Sommie, according to the Alen TV analyst, was scared-stiff and in that frightened state she found herself, the only thought that ran through her head was “Sommie, there’s danger! Now run to your balcony”, a tiny voice may have suggested to her, and unhesitatingly, she took to her heels and froze in fear, she ran to the balcony, unbeknownst to her that she had run to her death.
WHO WAS SOMTOCHUKWU CHRISTABEL MADUAGWU?
Acording to a Bold Talk on Alen TV, besides being a renowned journalist in Nigeria, Sommie was also a Lawyer and a few weeks before her tragic death, she travelled to Morocco with her siblings and parents to attend the wedding of her cousin.
The anchor of Bold Talk on Alen TV further disclosed that Sommie’s father is from Agulu in Anambra state and her mother is from Isoko in Delta State.
Hear him:
“apart from being a Nigerian, she was from Anambra State. Sommie’s father is from Agulu in Anambra state and her mother is from Isoko in Delta State; two very happy families of in-laws. Sommie felt very comfortable in Agulu as much as she felt in Isoko.
Speaking of the incident, he said: “Fast-forward to the incident. The building where Sommie lived in Abuja may be in a good area in Abuja but not necessarily the best maintained building in Abuja. And according to the stories I heard, in the last few weeks, Sommie had been busy, looking for a new place to move to, because in the last two weeks, armed robbers had also attacked another building close to Sommie. So, this was bothering her.
“Now, when they came into the building and got to Sommie’s apartment, they kicked down the front door and kicked down the bathroom door, thinking that she was there, she had run to the balcony. Sommie did not jump out of the balcony, Sommie was hiding at the balcony and holding onto the railings not knowing that the railings in the balcony were caving in and her weight was what pulled the railings and she crashed to the ground, when she crashed to the ground, she didn’t die right away. If emergency service had gotten there, chances are Sommie would have gotten to the hospital today, struggling for her life with a good possibility of surviving but the emergency services did not get there soon enough and when they finally came, the police said they did not have petrol to take her to the hospital.
They had to go out and get one gallon of petrol to put in the car to get her to the hospital and probably by the time they got to the hospital, Sommie may have already been dead.”
This version of the incident could be upheld as the exact cause of Sommie’s death.
“I PRAY NIGERIA NEVER HAPPENS TO ME”
ARISE TV Anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu’s Haunting X Post Before Her Tragic Death emerged on the internet a few days after her painful demise.
There in her post, Sommie had prayed to her Creator, urging Him not to let her become a victim of Nigeria.
On August 14, 2025, just six weeks before her death, the 29-year-old journalist wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I pray from the depth of my heart that Nigeria never happens to me or anyone I care about.”
This haunting social media post by Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, the ARISE News anchor, reporter, and producer has not only intensified the grief and outrage surrounding her tragic death but also left many in a deep state of wonderment as to who would be the next victim of terrific condition of Nigeria under the current leadership of some perceived political profiteers.
On August 14, 2025, just six weeks before her death, the 29-year-old journalist wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I pray from the depth of my heart that Nigeria never happens to me or anyone I care about.”
Those words, which at the time read like a simple lament about life in Nigeria, now appear prophetic because on September 29, when “Nigeria” did, in fact, happen to her in the worst way possible.
BACKGROUND OF THE TRAGEDY
Somtochukwu, fondly called Sommie, was at her Katampe apartment in Abuja when armed robbers stormed the six-flat complex in the early hours of that Monday.
According to an account by one Kaanayo Nwachukwu, who said he knew Sommie’s mother, witnesses said the criminals moved from flat to flat, dispossessing residents of their belongings, while frantic calls to the police went unanswered.
Terrified by the commotion, had run to the balcony, thinking it was a safest place for her but regrettably, it claimed her life without regrets.
According to Nwachukwu, eyewitnesses said the men of the Nigeria Police bluntly declined all the pleas from concerned the victim to a nearby hospital, claiming that they had no fuel in their patrol van. And the one billion and one question that reverberated in my mind upon hearing this was: “if truly there was no fuel in the police van, then how did they manage to get themselves to the scene of the incident? Was the van tolled? Just thinking out loud though.
Sommie managed to reach out to her mother’s close friend in Abuja for help, but by the time the woman arrived, she had died.
DID NIGERIA INCIDENTALLY HAPPEN TO SOMMIE?
The answer is yes! “Nigeria did happen to her”
Her death has sparked anger nationwide, seen by many as a symbol of insecurity, government negligence, and systemic failure. Nwachukwu described the tragedy as the very thing Sommie had feared, “That’s how Nigeria happened to this young, vibrant, promising star. SAD!!!”
The resurfaced X post has since gone viral, with thousands of Nigerians sharing it as both a warning and an indictment of a system that has failed countless citizens.
A BRIEF INFORMATION ABOUT SOMTOCHUKWU CHRISTABELLE MADUAGWU
Born on December 26, 1995, Sommie was the first child of her parents, who reportedly waited 10 years before having her, according to Nwachukwu.
After completing high school in Nigeria, she studied law in the United Kingdom and later attended the Nigerian Law School before venturing into journalism.
She joined ARISE News in 2024, quickly establishing herself as a vibrant and professional broadcaster whose passion resonated with viewers.
In a statement on Monday, ARISE News described her as “not only a cherished member of the ARISE News family but also a vibrant voice that engaged and connected with our viewers”.
“Beyond the airwaves, Sommie was a lawyer who was a professional and supportive colleague and a friend to many,” it added.
THE TEARS OF A FATHER
The bereaved father of the late Arise TV journalist, Ms. Somtochukwu Christella, Mr. Ifeanyi Maduagwu, has shared the heart-wrenching experience of losing his daughter, who was tragically murdered during a robbery at her residence in Abuja.
As reported by Punch on Saturday, October 4, 2025, Mr. Maduagwu, speaking through tears, described his daughter Somtochukwu — affectionately known as Sommie — as the “heartbeat of the home.” Born on December 26, 1995, she was the family’s only child for over five years, earning the undivided affection and attention of her parents.
He recounted that Sommie was an exuberant and cheerful young woman, known for her infectious laughter and lively spirit. “At social gatherings, she was always the life of the party — dancing, smiling, and chatting with everyone,” he recalled fondly.
Mr. Maduagwu also revealed that his daughter had lofty ambitions. She had planned to mark her forthcoming birthday, December 26, by hosting a charity celebration for children in her hometown — a tradition she had previously upheld. In addition to her philanthropic interests, she aspired to build a political career, with hopes of one day representing her people in the Nigerian Senate.
Regarding her personal life, he explained that although many men sought her hand in marriage, she often emphasized her desire to achieve professional stability before settling down. She eventually got engaged, but her promising future was cruelly cut short by the tragic incident.
Barely able to contain his emotions, Mr. Maduagwu expressed the depth of his grief, saying, “I will miss everything about her — her warmth, her care, her regular calls to check on me. She would always ask, ‘Dad, have you eaten? Are you feeling okay? Have you taken your medication?’”
He lamented that her death “has struck my heart like a dagger,” leaving an unhealable wound.
Hear him speak: “Honestly, it was a tragic and devastating experience. I was at work when I received a call from my elder brother, asking me to urgently come to Port Harcourt. I was surprised and pressed him further, wondering what could be so serious that required my immediate presence.”
THE TEARS OF A FATHER
The bereaved father of the late Arise TV journalist, Ms. Somtochukwu Christella, Mr. Ifeanyi Maduagwu, has shared the heart-wrenching experience of losing his daughter, who was tragically murdered during a robbery at her residence in Abuja.
As reported by Punch on Saturday, October 4, 2025, Mr. Maduagwu, speaking through tears, described his daughter Somtochukwu — affectionately known as Sommie — as the “heartbeat of the home.” Born on December 26, 1995, she was the family’s only child for over five years, earning the undivided affection and attention of her parents.
He recounted that Sommie was an exuberant and cheerful young woman, known for her infectious laughter and lively spirit. “At social gatherings, she was always the life of the party — dancing, smiling, and chatting with everyone,” he recalled fondly.
Mr. Maduagwu also revealed that his daughter had lofty ambitions. She had planned to mark her forthcoming birthday, December 26, by hosting a charity celebration for children in her hometown — a tradition she had previously upheld. In addition to her philanthropic interests, she aspired to build a political career, with hopes of one day representing her people in the Nigerian Senate.
Regarding her personal life, he explained that although many men sought her hand in marriage, she often emphasized her desire to achieve professional stability before settling down. She eventually got engaged, but her promising future was cruelly cut short by the tragic incident.
Barely able to contain his emotions, Mr. Maduagwu expressed the depth of his grief, saying, “I will miss everything about her — her warmth, her care, her regular calls to check on me. She would always ask, ‘Dad, have you eaten? Are you feeling okay? Have you taken your medication?’”
He lamented that her death “has struck my heart like a dagger,” leaving an unhealable wound.
Hear him speak: “Honestly, it was a tragic and devastating experience. I was at work when I received a call from my elder brother, asking me to urgently come to Port Harcourt. I was surprised and pressed him further, wondering what could be so serious that required my immediate presence.”
