The Maitama General Hospital is being accused of withholding desperately needed life saving treatment to Arise TV News anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu until she died.
Colleagues of the late journalists alleged that medical personnel at the Maitama General Hospital refused to treat Somtochukwu and her injured security man when they were wheeled to the emergency unit of the hospital.
Both of them died
The Presenter of ‘What is Trending’ in the Arise TV early morning show, Ms Ojinika Ope, said that the medical personnel on ground insisted on identification before commencing treatment.
She said that by the time, the person to do the identification got to the hospital, Somtochukwu was already being wheeled to the mortuary.
According to her, the late journalist jumped down from upstairs and was alive when she got to the hospital.
The members of the Arise TV early morning show crew led by Dr Reuben Abati called on the Government to investigate the conduct of the medical personnel to ascertain whether there was negligence on their part or not.
He also called on the authorities to expand the investigation beyond armed robbery to look at other possibilities.
Somtochukwu had posted on X in August where she prayed that Nigeria should not happen to her or anyone close to her.
Sadly, what she feared happened to her a month after as Nigeria happened to her rather coldly leaving behind tears on the faces of even those she never met while alive.
A large number of armed robbers invaded her apartment at the Katampe area of Abuja in the early hours of Monday.
She made frantic efforts to live but lost the battle in the Maitama General hospital which was said to have given her the cold shoulder while she gasped for breath unto death.
The management of Arise News broke the sad news of her death in a statement signed by Hadiza Usman-Ajayi on Monday.
The management described the loss as a devastating blow to the organisation and the journalism community.
“It is with heavy hearts that the management and staff of the Arise News Channel announce the passing of our beloved colleague, News Anchor, Reporter and Producer, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu.
“Sommie tragically passed away in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025, following an armed robbery incident in her residence in Katampe area of Abuja that is being investigated by the Nigeria Police.
“Sommie’s voice is now silent but her spirit, passion and legacy will endure as part of our collective memory. We remain in shock and call for a speedy investigation, apprehension and prosecution of the culprits”, the statement read.
Maduagwu, popularly known as Sommie among colleagues and friends, was 29 years old.
Born on December 26, 1995, she had distinguished herself as a talented news anchor, reporter, and producer, celebrated for her eloquence, professionalism, and dedication to impactful journalism.
Before venturing into broadcasting, Maduagwu trained as a lawyer — a background that gave her reporting and analysis exceptional depth and intellectual rigour.
Authorities have confirmed that an investigation is underway.
Strong indications have emerged that an Abuja hospital refused urgent medical attention to the late Arise TV news anchor Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu in her last moments.
The Network gathered that the journalists jumped from the second floor when the robbers invaded her apartment and sustained serious injuries.
She was said to have been rushed to the hospital which instead of commencing immediate treatment requested for a police statement.
It was further gathered that the robbers also killed the security man in her resident at the Katampe area of Lagos.
The popular Arise TV news anchor, according to source, had just returned to the country from the UK where she went to witness the 30th wedding anniversary of her parents.
The popular news anchor fondly called “Sommie” by colleagues, was killed in the early hours of Monday during an armed robbery at her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja.
The management of Arise News broke the sad news in a statement signed by Hadiza Usman-Ajayi on Monday.
The management described the loss as a devastating blow to the organisation and the journalism community.
“It is with heavy hearts that the management and staff of the Arise News Channel announce the passing of our beloved colleague, News Anchor, Reporter and Producer, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu.
“Sommie tragically passed away in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025, following an armed robbery incident in her residence in Katampe area of Abuja that is being investigated by the Nigeria Police.
“Sommie’s voice is now silent but her spirit, passion and legacy will endure as part of our collective memory. We remain in shock and call for a speedy investigation, apprehension and prosecution of the culprits”, the statement read.
Maduagwu, popularly known as Sommie among colleagues and friends, was 29 years old.
Born on December 26, 1995, she had distinguished herself as a talented news anchor, reporter, and producer, celebrated for her eloquence, professionalism, and dedication to impactful journalism.
Before venturing into broadcasting, Maduagwu trained as a lawyer — a background that gave her reporting and analysis exceptional depth and intellectual rigour.
Authorities have confirmed that an investigation is underway.
