‘She jumped from third floor in fear’ — FCT CP narrates how Arise TV presenter died

Ajao Adewale, the commissioner of police in the federal capital territory (FCT), says Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a news anchor and producer with Arise Television, jumped out from a three-storey building during the armed robbery incident at her residence. 

Somtochukwu, popularly known as Sommie, died in the early hours of Monday when armed robbers invaded her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja, the country’s capital.

Sommie and a private security guard attached to the residence lost their lives due to the armed robbery incident.

Speaking during the Arise TV’s Morning Show, Adewale said after the gunmen shot one of the security guards during the incident, sparking panic among residents.

The FCT police commissioner said Sommie, who resides in an apartment on the third floor, “out of fear and panic” jumped down during the incident.

He said the police officers deployed to the residence found the body of Sommie on the ground unconscious.

“Two private security guards were on duty and one of them, who had the courage to challenge them, sustained a gunshot injury,” he said.

“Under this condition, you know the panic that would have resulted from this kind of environment.

“Sommie actually occupied an apartment on the topmost floor of the building, out of fear, she jumped down from the third floor.

“A distress call was raised to the control room. Policemen moved to the scene, and all they could see was the unconscious body of Sommie on the floor.”

The FCT police commissioner said Sommie was taken to the Maitama General Hospital but the doctor could not resuscitate her despite performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The police commissioner stressed that the incident was clearly an armed robbery, citing evidence from the scene.

He added that Sommie was not shot during the attack but died after jumping from the third floor in fear and panic.

“On this particular incident, it is easy and obvious. They (armed robbers) came in… Sommie was not the only resident in that apartment,” he said.

“We are talking about 18 flats with 16 fully occupied. Handsets and cash from wallets were picked. The wallets were thrown on the floor.

”It is obvious that it is a clear case of robbery. Sommie was not shoot, out of fear and panic, it is normal and reasonable for everyone, she jumped down.

“They took her to Maitama General Hospital, where the doctor on duty tried as much as possible to see whether they can resuscitate her using CPR. It is unfortunate, she did not make it.”