President Bola Tinubu and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike have mourned the passing of Ms Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, a news anchor with Arise News Television, who was killed during an attack by robbers at her residence in Katampe, Abuja.
In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu extended 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.
President Tinubu said: “Ms Maduagwu was a promising professional journalist whose life was cut short in a cruel and condemnable manner.
“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”.
While commiserating with the bereaved family, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and will continue to strengthen measures aimed at combating crime in all its forms.
In a strong condemnation of the killing of Arise News anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed that her killers will be apprehended and brought to justice.
The minister, in a statement issued yesterday by his senior special assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, described Maduagwu’s death as a profound loss and a tragic crime that has shaken the nation.
“I feel pained that such a wonderful soul could be cut down in its prime. It is sad!” Wike stated.
Wike, while commiserating with the management and staff of Arise News Channel, assured the public that the police have been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death thoroughly.
“The death of Somtochukwu was not only a loss to the Arise News family, but to the Nigerian media and the entire nation as a whole,” the minister said, pledging that his administration would support the police investigation.
According to the statement, the FCT Administration is already collaborating with security agencies.
The minister confirmed that the victim was brought to Maitama General Hospital deceased at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Monday.
“Preliminary medical report will be made available to the police to aid their investigation, while all efforts will be made to unravel the circumstances surrounding her death.
“It is my prayer that God in His infinite mercies will accept her soul and give her family members, friends and associates the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.
The minister also expressed his condolences directly to Prince Nduka Obaigbena, chairman of Arise News, and the entire media community.
Also, the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, has described the killing of Arise News Television anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, as painful and unfortunate.
In a condolence message on Tuesday, the First Lady said she received with deep sadness the news of the untimely death of the young journalist, noting that she had been “cut down in her prime.”
“I woke up to the sad news of the unfortunate and untimely death of one of our young and brilliant minds in the journalism profession, Somtochukwu Maduagwu. Her death is painful and quite unfortunate. She has been cut down in her prime,” Mrs Tinubu stated.
