Arise News Anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu died after taking.....

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed the killing of Ms. Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a news anchor, reporter, and producer with Arise News Channel, during an armed robbery attack at her Katampe residence in Abuja on Monday.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ajao Adewale, condemned the incident as a “cruel and senseless act that has no place in a sane society,” while extending condolences to the victim’s family, colleagues, and the wider media community.

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Police Response

In a statement on Tuesday, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the Commissioner had ordered a discreet and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.

“The Commissioner of Police has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Ms. Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, who tragically lost her life during an armed robbery incident at her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025,” the statement partly read.

Adewale directed the deployment of intelligence and operational assets to track down the perpetrators and assured that justice would be served.

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Call for Public Support

The police urged residents to support the investigation by providing timely and useful information and to promptly raise alarms in suspicious situations to help forestall similar crimes.

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Pattern of Attacks on Journalists

Maduagwu’s killing highlights recurring threats to media professionals in Abuja.

• In June 2024, Liberty Radio staffer Azubuko Nwakama was attacked and robbed at Panteka Market, Mpape. After over a year of investigation, police arrested three suspects in August 2025.

• In January 2019, Radio Nigeria journalist Chris Edoga was stabbed by armed robbers at his Gwagwalada home. He later died in hospital.

• On September 1, 2019, an AIT journalist was fatally stabbed by a “one-chance” robbery gang in Abuja.

These incidents have fuelled growing concern over the safety of journalists and other professionals living in the Federal Capital Territory.