“She jumped from third floor in fear” — FCT CP on how Arise TV presenter Sommie Maduagwu died

Arise Television presenter and producer, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagw, popularly known as Sommie, has died following an armed robbery attack at her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) commissioner of police, Ajao Adewale, confirmed that the 29-year-old journalist lost her life in the early hours of Monday after jumping from the third floor of her apartment in panic during the incident.

According to Adewale, armed men invaded the residential compound and shot one of the private security guards on duty, triggering fear among occupants. He said Sommie, who lived on the top floor, attempted to escape by jumping out of her apartment window but landed unconscious. Police officers responding to a distress call later found her body and rushed her to Maitama General Hospital, where doctors tried to revive her with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but were unsuccessful.

Adewale stressed that the incident was a clear case of armed robbery, citing evidence that cash and mobile phones were stolen from residents. He noted that Maduagwu was not shot during the attack but died from injuries sustained in the fall.

The police commissioner added that 18 flats were occupied in the building at the time of the invasion. One security guard was killed, while the other sustained a gunshot injury.

“It is obvious this was a robbery. Out of fear and panic, Sommie jumped down. Sadly, she did not survive,” Adewale said.

Maduagwu, a rising journalist with Arise TV, was well known for her work as a news anchor and producer. Her death has drawn shock and grief within media circles and beyond.