President Bola Tinubu has condemned the death of a news anchor with Arise News Television, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, who lost her life following a robbery attack at her residence in Katampe, Abuja.
This is also as the 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party counterpart, Mr Peter Obi both expressed shock at her passing.
Tinubu’s condolences were conveyed in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday, titled ‘President Tinubu condemns the killing of Arise News anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu, urges security agencies to fish out the killers’.
The statement reads, “The President described the late journalist, fondly known as Sommie, as ‘a promising professional whose life was cut short in a cruel and condemnable manner.”
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu receives with deep sorrow the news of the tragic passing of Ms Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, a brilliant news anchor with Arise News Television, who was killed during an attack by robbers at her residence in Katampe, Abuja.
“Ms Maduagwu was a promising professional journalist whose life was cut short in a cruel and condemnable manner.
Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms Maduagwu, the management and staff of Arise News Television, and the entire Nigerian media fraternity over this painful loss.
Tinubu extended condolences to the Maduagwu family, the management and staff of Arise News, as well as the Nigerian media community, noting that the tragic loss was not only personal to the family but also to the nation.
The president directed security and law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those behind the killing are brought to justice without delay.
The statement added, “Security and law enforcement agencies should conduct a quick and thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice without delay.”
Taking to his verified X account, Atiku, on a terse message, wrote:
“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. 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. -AA”
On his part, Obi, in a condolence message titled ‘Rest in Peace, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu’, and shared on X, wrote:
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely death of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a brilliant young anchor with Arise News, who was killed in the most painful circumstances during a robbery attack in Abuja.
“At only 29, Somtochukwu had already distinguished herself as a gifted broadcaster and trained lawyer whose voice engaged, informed, and inspired many. Her loss is not only a personal tragedy to her family and colleagues but also a huge blow to journalism and to our nation, which continues to lose its brightest to insecurity and violence.
“This heartbreaking incident once again highlights the urgent need for us as a country to prioritise the safety and security of every citizen. 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. -PO”