First Lady, Atiku, Obi mourn Arise TV anchor killed in Abuja robbery

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have mourned the death of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a 29-year-old anchor with Arise News Media, who died on Monday in Abuja.

Maduagwu, fondly called Sommie, lost her life after jumping from the balcony of her residence in Katampe, in the Federal Capital Territory, while attempting to escape suspected armed robbers.

In a condolence message on Tuesday, the First Lady described the deceased as “one of the nation’s young and brilliant minds in the journalism profession,” adding that it was painful to see her life “cut short in her prime.”

While condoling with the Chairman, Arise News Media, Chief Nduka Obaigbena, Somtochukwu’s family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones, the First Lady expressed hope that the perpetrators are apprehended as soon as possible and brought to book.

She prayed that “God to grant repose to the soul of the deceased and gives her family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”

Atiku, in his tribute via his X handle on Monday, said he was deeply saddened by the incident.

“I wish to express my deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Somtochukwu Maduagwu, an Arise TV newscaster who was killed in an armed robbery attack in Abuja,” he wrote, extending his sympathies also to the management and staff of the station.

“My condolences also go to the management and staff of @ARISEtv. It is my prayer that the family, friends and colleagues be comforted by this loss at such a very young age,” he added.

Obi, in a post via his X handle on Monday, described Maduagwu as “a brilliant young anchor and trained lawyer whose voice engaged, informed, and inspired many.”

He noted that her tragic passing was not just a personal loss to her family and colleagues but “a huge blow to journalism and to our nation.”

He further stressed the need to prioritise citizens’ safety, saying,“No Nigerian should go to bed fearful of what the night may bring, or lose their life in such senseless ways.

“My thoughts and prayers are with her grieving family, the Arise News family, and all who mourn her. May her soul rest in peace, and may we, as a nation, work harder to build a country where lives are valued and protected.”