The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed that Arise News correspondent, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, died after jumping from the third floor of her Katampe apartment during an armed robbery on Monday, September 29, 2025.
The clarification follows widespread reports alleging hospital negligence at Maitama General Hospital as the cause of her death.
Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, said officers found the journalist unconscious at the scene and rushed her to the hospital.
“Policemen moved to the scene and found her lying unconscious. She was immediately taken to Maitama General Hospital, where doctors tried to resuscitate her using CPR, but sadly, she could not make it,” Adewale explained.
According to the Commissioner, the attack occurred at Unique Apartments, a three-storey twin building with 18 flats, located in the Gishiri axis of Katampe, under the Mabushi Divisional Area.
“Some unknown armed robbers gained access into Unique Apartments where Sommie lived. Two private security guards were on duty. One of them, who had the courage to challenge the robbers, sustained a gunshot injury. In the panic that followed, Sommie, who lived on the topmost floor of the building, jumped down. The consequences were tragic and very unfortunate,” he said.
Adewale noted that an investigation team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation) had been constituted to track down the assailants. “No stone will be left unturned until the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he assured.
The death of the young journalist has triggered nationwide outrage. The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and several media practitioners condemned the incident, citing rising insecurity and concerns over the country’s emergency medical response system.
President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other prominent Nigerians have expressed grief over the tragedy, describing Maduagwu as a bright talent lost too soon.
Arise News had officially announced her death on Tuesday, attributing it to alleged hospital neglect, a claim now countered by the police.
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