Obi, Atiku mourn Arise TV anchor, Somtochukwu killed in Abuja robbery

By Adetayo Omotoyosi Adeolu

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reacted to the brutal murder of Arise TV News anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, who died during a robbery attack at her residence in Katampe, Abuja, in the early hours of Monday.

The management of Arise News Channel confirmed the death of Somtochukwu in a statement signed and released by Hadiza Usman-Ajayi on Monday evening.

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Obi described Somtochukwu as a brilliant young anchor who was killed in the most painful circumstances.

He 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.”

The former Anambra governor noted that the deceased had distinguished herself as a “gifted broadcaster and trained lawyer whose voice engaged, informed, and inspired many.” He described her death as not only a personal loss to her family and colleagues but a huge blow to journalism and the entire country.

“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,” he said.

Obi also prayed for the repose of her soul and expressed his condolences to her family and the Arise news management and staff.

“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”, he concluded.

In the same vein, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also expressed his condolences to the family of Somtochukwu and the management and staff of Arise TV News channel.

He wrote on his X page (formerly Twitter), “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”.