Colleagues of late ARISE News correspondent, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, have accused a hospital in Abuja of negligence after the 29-year-old journalist reportedly died from injuries sustained during a robbery attack.
Maduagwu, a lawyer and former beauty queen, was said to have jumped from her residence when armed robbers invaded the building. Although she survived the fall, she later died after allegedly being denied treatment at the Maitama District General Hospital.
Speaking during The Morning Show on Tuesday, anchor Ojy Okpe described the incident as a preventable tragedy.
“She jumped down from her home when she heard that 14 armed robbers had come to her house. She did not die on the spot. She was taken to the hospital, but she was rejected. This really is a tragic, tragic incident. Sommie’s life could have been saved, but the hospital refused to treat her,” Okpe lamented.
Her co-anchor, Dr. Reuben Abati, criticised the hospital’s conduct, saying it amounted to a breach of professional ethics.
“This is an issue of the law in Nigeria. Anybody who is a victim of an accident should be treated immediately,” he said.
“But those who were taken to the hospital were refused treatment because staff were looking for identification. It is the duty of doctors and nurses to stay faithful to their oath, which is to save lives.”
Abati also called for accountability: “I hope the hospital is properly identified, and sanctions where appropriate are applied to those on duty… Lives could have been saved.”
According to reports, both Maduagwu and an elderly security guard injured during the robbery were taken to the same hospital, but neither survived after staff allegedly demanded identification documents before commencing treatment.
The management of ARISE News described Maduagwu as “delectable, intelligent, and bold,” noting that she used her platform to advocate for out-of-school children and campaigned actively against sexual and gender-based violence.
Maduagwu had represented Nigeria at the Miss Tourism World Pageant in China before joining ARISE in September 2024.
Her last social media post in August, where she prayed that “Nigeria never happens to me or anyone I care about,” has since resurfaced and gone viral.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the robbery and circumstances of her death.
Reflecting on the hazards of journalism, Abati added, “This job that we do is a very dangerous one. It is unfortunate that a young woman has fallen. When Nigeria happens to us, it is a sad thing.”
