By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
How Abuja Estate Robbery Took the Life of ARISE News Anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu
The shocking robbery attack that claimed the life of ARISE News anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, continues to send waves of grief and outrage across Abuja.
Maduagwu, a 29-year-old lawyer, model, and television presenter, was killed during a violent midnight invasion at her residence on Monday.
A neighbour, who survived the ordeal, has provided a detailed account of the incident, describing how the robbers — estimated to be about 15 in number — stormed the building around 3 a.m. and raided 18 apartments in less than 15 minutes.
Writing under the handle @lifegivingsun on X, she recounted the sense of betrayal that residents felt after the attack:
“We thought our apartment was safe. It is a very secure area. We thought our doors were strong; they got knocked down. We thought we were safe with armed security, but about 15 hoodlums still attacked us, knowing they’d get away with it.”
According to her testimony, four armed men broke into her apartment alone, wielding machetes and guns. She described waking up to the frightening sight of strangers forcing their way in. The gang reportedly carted away valuables including cash, electronics, and two cars — one of which belonged to a diplomat.
Two lives were lost that night: Somtochukwu Maduagwu and a security guard who attempted to confront the attackers.
The neighbour said the robbers moved in coordinated groups, ensuring that every flat in the compound was stripped.
She revealed that Maduagwu’s desperate cry was what alerted others to the danger:
“And she shouted, she screamed! It was her scream that woke most of the neighbours, alerting us that we were under attack.”
While recounting the night’s horror, she expressed anger at the slow and casual response of the police:
“No emergency service, no urgency from the policemen who showed up after the hoodlums had already run away. I am livid and heartbroken.”
She recalled the devastating moment of finding Maduagwu lifeless:
“The most heartbreaking part was that no one noticed her for so long. I went downstairs to see what had happened and found her lying face down. I screamed for a car. A neighbour tried CPR, but she was gone. The mobile police had no urgency.”
Following Maduagwu’s death, speculation spread across social media, with some claiming she may have been deliberately targeted. But the neighbour dismissed such theories, urging the public to avoid false claims.
“People need to stop spreading this agenda that they were assassins. They robbed 18 apartments in less than 15 minutes. We don’t have a conclusive reason for how she died because we found her lying in her blood, with no pants on. Unless there’s CCTV or an autopsy, everything else is assumption.”
The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of security in Abuja’s estates, where residents pay heavily for protection yet remain vulnerable to coordinated attacks.
For Maduagwu’s colleagues, friends, and viewers, her death is a devastating loss. Known for her brilliance and charisma on screen, she had built a promising career as one of the young faces of ARISE News.
As investigations continue, residents of the building are left traumatised, mourning a neighbour whose final scream may have saved others, but whose life was tragically cut short.
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