The family of late ARISE News anchor and reporter, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, has appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently unravel and prosecute those behind her killing.
The call came on Tuesday during a condolence visit by senior management of the ARISE Media Group to the Maduagwu family residence in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Maduagwu, popularly known as Sommie, was killed in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025, during an armed robbery at her Katampe apartment in Abuja. The 29-year-old, a lawyer-turned-journalist, was widely regarded as one of the station’s rising stars before her life was cut short in the attack that has sparked grief across Nigeria’s media industry.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Engineer Obi Maduagwu, elder brother to Sommie’s father, described the incident as “senseless, cruel and deeply painful.”
“We appreciate the solidarity shown by ARISE News, but we also demand justice. Those who did this must be found and brought to face the full weight of the law,” he said.
The ARISE delegation was led by Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Bayo Awosemo, accompanied by Mr. Sumner Sambo, Director of News, and Mr. Chris Isiguzo, Director of Corporate Services and former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
The team commiserated with the family and extolled Sommie’s passion for journalism, work ethic and commitment to fairness.
Isiguzo, who also serves as President of the Congress of African Journalists, gave a moving recollection of his last encounter with the deceased.
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“We were together in the office on Saturday and Sunday. In fact, before she went on air to present her programme, we exchanged pleasantries as always. Who could have imagined that hours later, we’d be talking about her in the past tense? We are heartbroken, but her legacy will endure,” he said.
The late journalist’s mother was visibly inconsolable during the visit, while her father, Engineer Ifeanyi Maduagwu, was too distraught to speak. Sympathisers, colleagues and neighbours thronged the Port Harcourt residence, describing her as brilliant, humble and principled.
Born on December 26, 1995, Sommie studied law in Nigeria and the United Kingdom before transitioning into journalism. At ARISE News, she worked as a reporter, producer and anchor, with a focus on legal issues, gender equity and social justice.
Director of News, Sambo, assured the family that the organisation would push for justice.
“No stone will be left unturned in unmasking those responsible for this heinous crime,” he vowed.
