Sommie Maduagwu
More details have emerged on the death of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a news anchor and producer with Arise Television, who died during an armed robbery incident at her residence in Abuja.
The incident occurred around 3 am on Monday when about 15 armed men invaded Unique Apartments, a 16-flat four-storey building in the Katampe area of the city.
According to Arise TV, security personnel at the premises said the police were alerted while the robbery was ongoing but there was no response.
One of the guards was injured in the assault. Both the guard and Maduagwu, popularly known as Sommie, were taken to Maitama District Hospital where they later died.
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Relatives alleged that the hospital staff initially declined treatment because identification documents had not been produced, a delay they said contributed to the deaths.
On Tuesday, Arise TV aired a tribute programme titled ‘Sommie Maduagwu: A Life Cut Short’, during which colleagues paid emotional tributes.
Speaking during the Morning Show, Ojinika Okpe, one of the station’s presenters, said Maduagwu had jumped from her apartment in a desperate attempt to escape the intruders.
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“I reached out to our correspondent in Abuja, who detailed the circumstances surrounding her death,” Okpe said.
“She jumped down from her home when she heard about 14 armed robbers came to her home. She did not die on the spot. She went to the hospital, and she was rejected. Her life could have been saved, but the hospital rejected her.”
Reuben Abati, former presidential spokesperson and co-anchor on Arise TV, called for a thorough investigation into the role of medical staff at Maitama District Hospital, adding that security agencies should also probe all circumstances surrounding the incident.
Maduagwu, who was born on December 26, 1995, was also a trained lawyer before pursuing a career in broadcast journalism.
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