REVEALED: The moments before Somtochukwu Maduagwu’s death

After completing a Sunday night shift, 29-year-old Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a news anchor and producer with Arise Television, met a tragic end in the early hours of Monday.

Fondly known as Sommie, the late former first runner-up Miss Tourism Nigeria and lawyer had closed from work at 11 pm and returned to her flat in Unique Apartments, a three-storey building in the Katampe district of Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Hours later, she woke up to noises from neighbours’ apartments as a gang of armed men stormed the compound.

PANIC AND A FATAL JUMP

Frightened, she reportedly rushed to the balcony and jumped.

“She stays in the flat on the last floor. As those boys were heading to her flat after robbing the first and second floors, she jumped from the top and landed on the concrete,” a nanny in one of the apartments said.

“They have not even touched anything inside her flat. All her belongings are intact. One of our neighbours took her to the hospital, and the hospital was giving many excuses, and then she later died.”

Maduagwu was not the only casualty — Barnabas, a security guard in the compound, was stabbed to death while trying to resist the robbers.

‘A CRIME SCENE’

When TheCable visited the Unique Apartments on Tuesday, police officers from the Mabushi division were on the ground. They arrested some young men from surrounding shanties, a driver of one of the occupants and a second security guard, who had been on duty during the robbery incident.

Three armed policemen stood at the entrance of the apartment, barring non-residents from gaining access into the compound.

“If you need any information, go to Mabushi police station. The DPO will tell you everything you need to know,” one officer told TheCable.

Attempts to speak with the divisional police officer were rebuffed.

SECURITY LAPSES 

TheCable found that key safety measures in the building had failed on the night of the attack.

Some residents who declined to be named said the CCTV cameras installed in the apartment were not working, depriving investigators of footage. The inverter powering the compound had also failed, leaving the apartments in darkness as the armed men struck.

Occupants reportedly pay N5 million per annum for a two-bedroom flat in the building, which is managed by Amazing Grace Ventures.

Officials of the real estate company appeared uneasy when approached for comments on the incidents. In turn, they demanded that this reporter delete all the pictures of the compound that he had taken with his mobile phone.

POLICE PROMISE ‘DISCREET’ INVESTIGATION

Ajao Adewale, federal capital territory (FCT) commissioner of police, described the attack as “a cruel and senseless act that has no place in a sane society”.

Adewale ordered a “discreet and comprehensive” investigation, alongside the deployment of intelligence assets to track the perpetrators.

Josephine Adeh, FCT police spokesperson, said the commissioner has urged residents to provide useful information that could aid the probe.

FG, WIKE REACT

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said Maduagwu’s death was a “grievous loss, not only to her family and colleagues, but also to the Nigerian media industry and the nation at large”.

In a condolence message to Nduka Obaigbena, chairman of Arise News, the minister described her as a “vibrant and dedicated news anchor, consummate lawyer, and a model of professionalism”.

He promised that the federal government would ensure a thorough probe into the incident.

Nyesom Wike, minister of the FCT, expressed sadness over the journalist’s death.

“I feel pained that such a wonderful soul could be cut down in its prime. It is sad,” he said in a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, his media aide, on Tuesday.

Wike vowed that he would ensure that the police “unravel the circumstances surrounding her death and bring those responsible to justice”.

TINUBU MOURNS

President Bola Tinubu said he received the news with “deep sorrow”.

“Ms Maduagwu was a promising professional journalist whose life was cut short in a cruel and condemnable manner,” the president said in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, his special adviser on information and strategy.

Tinubu called on security agencies to conduct a quick and thorough investigation and ensure the culprits are brought to justice.

COLLEAGUES IN MOURNING

Outside the compound, Ferdinand Duruoha, a news anchor and senior correspondent at Arise, said a delegation from the station was already on its way to Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital and the home of the Maduagwu family, to condole with them.

Bayo Awosemo, deputy managing director, led the delegation, which included Sumner Sambo, the director of news, and Christopher Isiguzo, director of corporate services.

Duruoha added that her sudden death has thrown colleagues and family into mourning.