On August 14, 2025, just six weeks before her death, the 29-year-old journalist wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I pray from the depth of my heart that Nigeria never happens to me or anyone I care about.” A haunting social media post by Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, the ARISE News anchor, reporter, and producer who died during an armed robbery in Abuja, has resurfaced, intensifying the grief and outrage surrounding her tragic death. On August 14, 2025, just six weeks before her death, the 29-year-old journalist wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I pray from the depth of my heart that Nigeria never happens to me or anyone I care about.”
Those words, which at the time read like a simple lament about life in Nigeria, now appear prophetic because on September 29, when “Nigeria” did, in fact, happen to her in the worst way possible.
The Tragedy
Somtochukwu, fondly called Sommie, was at her Katampe apartment in Abuja when armed robbers stormed the six-flat complex in the early hours of that Monday. According to an account by one Kaanayo Nwachukwu, who said he knew Sommie’s mother, witnesses said the criminals moved from flat to flat, dispossessing residents of their belongings. At the same time, frantic calls to the police went unanswered. Terrified by the commotion, Sommie tried to escape before the robbers reached her unit. She jumped from her window, sustaining severe injuries. When the police eventually arrived minutes later, she was still alive. But according to Nwachukwu, eyewitnesses said the officers refused to take her to the hospital, claiming their patrol vehicle had no fuel. Sommie managed to reach out to her mother’s close friend in Abuja for help, but by the time the woman arrived, she had died.
“Nigeria Happened to Her”
Her death has sparked anger nationwide, seen by many as a symbol of insecurity, government negligence, and systemic failure. Nwachukwu described the tragedy as the very thing Sommie had feared, “That’s how Nigeria happened to this young, vibrant, promising star. SAD!!!”
The resurfaced X post has since gone viral, with thousands of Nigerians sharing it as both a warning and an indictment of a system that has failed countless citizens.
Born on December 26, 1995, Sommie was the first child of her parents, who reportedly waited 10 years before having her, according to Nwachukwu. After completing high school in Nigeria, she studied law in the United Kingdom and later attended the Nigerian Law School before venturing into journalism. She joined ARISE News in 2024, quickly establishing herself as a vibrant and professional broadcaster whose passion resonated with viewers. In a statement on Monday, ARISE News described her as “not only a cherished member of the ARISE News family but also a vibrant voice that engaged and connected with our viewers”. “Beyond the airwaves, Sommie was a lawyer who was a professional and supportive colleague and a friend to many,” it added.