The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have expressed profound grief and sorrow over the tragic death of Arise News anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu.
This newspaper had previously reported that Maduagwu tragically lost her life in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025, following a violent robbery attack at her residence located in the Katampe area of Abuja.
In a heartfelt statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi described her passing as heartbreaking. He emphasized that the devastating incident underscores the urgent and critical need for Nigeria to prioritize the safety and security of all its citizens.
He wrote: “Rest in Peace, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu. 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.”
Obi further eulogized the late journalist, noting, “At only 29, Somtochukwu had already distinguished herself as a gifted broadcaster and trained lawyer whose voice engaged, informed, and inspired many. 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.”
Connecting her death to a broader national crisis, the former presidential candidate stated, “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 concluded his tribute by offering, “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.”
In a similar vein, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Maduagwu and the management of Arise News.
He wrote, “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.”
