Update: Arise TV’s Sommie Died After Jumping from Floor in Panic During Armed Robbery – Police Report

Update: Arise TV’s Sommie Died After Jumping from Floor in Panic During Armed Robbery – Police Report.

A new, official account has emerged in the tragic death of Somtochukwu Christelle “Sommie” Maduagwu, the vibrant Arise News anchor, reporter, and producer whose passing sent shockwaves through the media community and the nation.

Contrary to initial swirling narratives, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Commissioner has stated that Maduagwu lost her life after jumping from her third-floor apartment in a panic during an armed robbery operation, a desperate act that proved fatal.

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The Commissioner, during a recent interview on Arise News, delivered a preliminary report that sought to address and correct several claims that had gained traction online in the wake of the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025, in the Katampe area of Abuja.

A Detailed Account of the Tragic Night

According to the police report, the sequence of events was as follows:

1. The Robbery: A group of armed robbers targeted Maduagwu’s residential building, which contains 18 apartments. Sixteen flats were occupied at the time, with two vacant. The criminals were operating from flat to flat.
2. The Fatal Decision: Upon hearing the commotion and likely gunshots, Sommie, who was inside her own apartment, was thrown into a state of panic. Before the robbers had even reached her flat, she jumped from her third-floor window in an attempt to escape the imminent threat.
3. Police Response: The Commissioner explicitly countered the widespread report that police were unable to respond due to a lack of fuel in their vehicle. He stated that upon arrival at the scene, they found Maduagwu unconscious from the impact of her fall, and it was the police who rushed her to the hospital.
4. Hospital Declaration: She was taken to Maitama General Hospital, where medical personnel attempted to resuscitate her. However, she was declared “Brought In Dead” (BID). The Commissioner denied narratives that the hospital delayed treatment by asking for identification or failed to act promptly.
5. Ruling Out Assassination: The police have firmly ruled out any motive of assassination. The Commissioner reasoned that the robbers’ methodical pattern of moving from one flat to another to rob occupants was inconsistent with a targeted killing. He emphasized that they had not yet reached Maduagwu’s apartment when she jumped.

Clarifying the Record and a Promise of Justice

The Commissioner’s report paints a picture of a tragic accident borne out of the terror of a violent home invasion, rather than a failure of the systems meant to protect and save lives. He assured the public that the police are conducting a “deep investigation” and are committed to apprehending the perpetrators responsible for the robbery.

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The presentation of this report on Arise News was met with a somber silence from the show’s presenters, who, like many, had been grappling with the initial, emotionally charged accounts that suggested institutional failure.

While this official report provides clarity, it does little to diminish the sense of loss. Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu is remembered not for the tragic circumstances of her death, but for her vitality, professionalism, and bright promise.

The police investigation continues as the hunt for the armed robbers intensifies. May the soul of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu rest in perfect peace.