“…Her screams pierced the night, awakening many neighbors and signaling that an attack was underway. Yet, when the police eventually arrived, there was no urgency, no swift action.” This was the harrowing account shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a neighbor, @lifegivingsun.
Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a 29-year-old journalist, producer, and news anchor with Arise TV, was not isolated in a remote area devoid of security. She lived in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city-the very heart of the nation’s security apparatus. Despite residing in a place where protection is often promised, her desperate cries went unanswered. No patrols, no armed response, no immediate help. In this glaring absence, a dedicated professional committed to truth and justice was mercilessly lost.
On Monday, September 29, 2025, Sommie reportedly leapt from a third-floor window in a desperate bid to escape an armed robbery at her home in Abuja’s Katampe district. LEADERSHIP Sunday recounts not only the tragedy of her death but also the broader failure of trust between Nigerian citizens and the institutions designed to safeguard them. This is a narrative of ignored distress calls, systemic breakdowns, and silence amid cries for help-a call for accountability and justice.
Born on December 26, 1995, Sommie, as she was fondly called, pursued legal studies in Nigeria and the UK before shifting her career path to journalism. She quickly became a passionate advocate for women’s rights and the empowerment of girls, with aspirations to enter politics to further champion these causes.
In a revealing interview with Arise TV, Sommie voiced her commitment to increasing female political representation, particularly in the Senate. A former beauty queen, she was widely recognized for her determination, resilience, and self-motivation. Despite holding dual citizenship and having lucrative opportunities abroad, she chose to return to Nigeria to work in journalism, serving as a reporter, producer, and anchor at Arise News.
Her work was marked by insightful interviews and comprehensive coverage of legal issues, gender equality, and social justice. One of her recent focuses was advocating for legislation to secure permanent Senate seats for women. Tragically, her promising journey was cut short when armed assailants-estimated to be around 15-invaded her home. In a frantic attempt to flee, she jumped from a third-floor window, an act that ultimately led to her death.
Family Demands Justice: “Bring Our Daughter’s Killers to Light”
The devastated family of Somtochukwu has urgently appealed to the federal government and security agencies to swiftly identify and bring her attackers to justice. Her uncle, Engineer Obi Maduagwu, shared the family’s anguish with the press, describing the shock that engulfed them upon hearing the tragic news. The family pieced together the events through phone calls and photos from the scene and hospital. Sommie’s father, who was offshore at the time, was urgently flown back to Port Harcourt with assistance from his colleagues at Shell.
Engr. Maduagwu painted a picture of Sommie as fiercely independent, resolute, and deeply passionate about her ambitions. “She told her father she was leaving the UK, where she earned more, because she wanted to contribute to Nigeria,” he said. He lamented that the country’s insecurity and the sluggish emergency response led to an irreplaceable loss. “In the UK, emergency calls are answered within minutes. Here, the delay was fatal.”
Neighbor’s Perspective
Attempting to reconstruct the night’s events, a neighbor tweeted: “We believed our building was secure, located in a high-security area. We trusted our reinforced doors and armed guards. Yet, about 15 criminals brazenly attacked us, confident they would escape unpunished.”
The neighbor credited Sommie’s screams for alerting residents to the robbery but criticized the police for their delayed arrival. “Around 3 a.m., I woke up to four armed men breaking into my apartment with machetes and guns. They robbed all 18 units-taking cash, electronics, and even two cars, including a diplomatic vehicle. Two people died that night: Sommie and a security guard. I’m still shaken and speechless. Her screams woke many neighbors, but no emergency services responded promptly. The police showed no urgency, and the robbers fled.”
She added, “The most heartbreaking moment was discovering Sommie lying face down, unnoticed for so long. Despite a neighbor’s CPR efforts, she was gone.”
When questioned about whether Sommie was murdered or resisted, the neighbor responded, “Without CCTV footage or an autopsy, we can only speculate. The robbers struck swiftly, targeting all 18 apartments in under 15 minutes. We found her lying in blood, without pants. It’s important to stop spreading unfounded theories that this was an assassination.”
FCT Police Commissioner’s Statement: “She Died After Jumping From Third Floor”
Federal Capital Territory Police Commissioner, CP Ajao Adewale, confirmed that Sommie’s death resulted from her jump during the robbery. Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show, he explained that panic ensued after the attackers shot one of the private security guards.
“Two security guards were on duty; one bravely confronted the assailants and was shot. This created chaos. Sommie lived on the top floor and, in fear, jumped from the third floor,” he said.
He added that a distress call was made, and police arrived to find Sommie unconscious. She was rushed to Maitama General Hospital, where medical staff attempted CPR but were unsuccessful.
CP Adewale emphasized that the incident was a clear case of armed robbery, not a targeted killing. “They robbed 18 apartments, taking phones and cash, leaving wallets scattered. Sommie was not shot; her jump was a reaction to fear and panic.”
Colleagues Mourn and Demand Change
Somtochukwu’s death has sparked widespread sorrow and outrage among her colleagues at Arise News. Senior journalist Reuben Abati criticized hospitals that refuse emergency care due to lack of identification, calling for accountability.
“Medical professionals must honor the Hippocratic Oath to save lives. If the hospital failed to act because they were waiting for ID, sanctions should follow. Lives could have been saved,” he stated.
Presenter Ojy Okpe described Sommie’s death as “completely avoidable,” expressing deep frustration over the loss.
Rufai Oseni called her passing “devastating,” highlighting her selflessness and dedication to uplifting young girls. “She once tweeted a prayer that Nigeria’s troubles wouldn’t touch us. Sadly, Nigeria’s harsh reality caught up with her, as it does with many of us, which is why we continue to fight injustice.”
Sumner Sambo, Arise News’ Director of News, assured the family of a relentless pursuit of justice: “We will leave no stone unturned in identifying those responsible for this heinous act.”
Like many before her, Sommie died hoping for help that never arrived-echoing the tragic story of Dr. Chinelo Megafu, a young dentist fatally shot during the Kaduna-Abuja train attack in 2022. Dr. Megafu’s desperate tweet pleading for prayers went viral, but aid was delayed, and she succumbed to her injuries. Despite prior warnings about security threats, the government failed to act, and emergency responses were inadequate. Many Nigerians initially doubted her tweet, reflecting a society numbed by repeated tragedies and misinformation.
Why This Matters:
Dr. Chinelo’s final plea for assistance was met with skepticism and delay, leading to her death. Sommie’s story now stands as another stark example of Nigeria’s failure to protect its brightest talents-not only through neglect but through a system that normalizes chaos and punishes trust.
This tragedy is not merely a statistic or a name on a growing list of preventable deaths. It is a powerful indictment of a nation where protective systems abandon those in need, where cries for help fade into silence, and where hope is repeatedly betrayed.
Somtochukwu’s life and death compel us to face a painful reality: in Nigeria, brilliance, compassion, and potential offer no immunity against systemic failure. If a young lawyer and journalist, devoted to justice and equality, can perish due to institutional neglect, then no one is truly safe. Her legacy must not be forgotten; it must fuel a collective demand for reform-for those who have died waiting and for those still daring to hope.
