ARISE News has announced that its late anchor, correspondent, and producer, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, who tragically lost her life during an armed robbery in Abuja on September 29, 2025, will be laid to rest on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
The broadcast station, in a statement and video released on Saturday, said a series of events have been planned to honour the late journalist, starting with an evening of tributes on Sunday, October 12, at the THISDAY Dome, Central Business District, Abuja.
This will be followed by a service of songs on Wednesday, October 15, at the Corpus Christi Cathedral, Kaduna Street, Port Harcourt.
According to ARISE News, Maduagwu’s interment will take place at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Agulu, Anambra State, after a funeral mass on the same day.
“Somto’s dedication, warmth, and professionalism touched everyone she worked with. Her passing is an immeasurable loss not only to ARISE News but to Nigerian journalism,” the station said in an emotional tribute.
The late 29-year-old was a lawyer, model, and journalist who worked as a news anchor, reporter, and producer with the station. She was killed alongside a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during a robbery attack at her residence in Katampe, Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested 12 suspects linked to the incident.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Friday, revealing that the gang sourced their weapons from a dealer operating across the Nigeria–Niger Republic border.
“Preliminary investigations showed that the syndicate procured its firearms — including a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, and a pistol — from an arms dealer in the Niger Republic,” Adeh stated.
She added that all suspects are natives of Kaduna and Katsina States, and they have confessed to obtaining their weapons from the foreign supplier.
“Following the murder, the Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, ordered a comprehensive operation led by DCP Aliyu Abubakar and assisted by ACP Victor Godfrey. Their swift action led to the dismantling of the gang and the arrest of the culprits,” Adeh said.
The police have assured the public that investigations are ongoing to ensure all those involved in the crime face justice.
