Arise News has formally announced the burial arrangements for its late news anchor, correspondent, and producer, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, who tragically lost her life in an armed robbery incident on September 29, 2025.
The 29-year-old, widely recognized for her multifaceted career as a lawyer, model, journalist, and media producer, was fatally shot during a violent robbery at her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja. The attack also claimed the life of a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, who was on duty at the time.
The media organization released a tribute video on Saturday confirming the schedule of events to honour Maduagwu’s life and legacy.
According to the announcement:
- An Evening of Tributes will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the THISDAY Dome in the Central Business District of Abuja.
- A Service of Songs is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the Corpus Christi Cathedral, Kaduna Street, Port Harcourt.
- Her funeral mass and interment will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Agulu, in Anambra State.
Police Arrest 12 in Connection with Maduagwu’s Death
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced significant progress in its investigation into the incident. According to the Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, twelve suspects have been arrested in connection with the robbery and murder.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the armed gang had procured its weapons — including a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, a pump-action shotgun, and a pistol — from an illegal arms dealer operating across the Nigeria–Niger Republic border.
“All the suspects are from Kaduna and Katsina States and have confessed to obtaining their weapons from a yet-to-be-identified supplier in the Niger Republic,” Adeh stated.
The arrest underscores the growing concern over transnational arms trafficking and the urgent need for enhanced border security and intelligence collaboration between Nigeria and its neighbours.
Maduagwu’s passing has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from colleagues, viewers, and industry peers, who remember her as a passionate professional with a bright future ahead. Her death also reignites conversations about the safety of media personnel and the broader insecurity affecting communities across the country.
