President Bola Tinubu has expressed grief over the murder of Ms Somtochukwu “Sommie” Maduagwu, a rising television anchor with Arise News during a robbery incident at her Katampe residence in Abuja.
He has accordingly ordered security agencies to track down the killers of the promising journalist, while describing the crime as “shocking, wicked, and unacceptable”.
The President said Maduagwu’s death had robbed Nigeria of a bright young talent and a promising journalist cut down in her prime.
“Ms Maduagwu was a promising professional journalist whose life was cut short in a cruel and condemnable manner,” Tinubu, recognising the loss of the Arise TV anchor, said in a Tuesday statement.
He directed security and law enforcement agencies to launch an immediate manhunt, stressing that the perpetrators must be apprehended and brought to justice without delay.
The President also conveyed his condolences to Maduagwu’s family, the management and staff of Arise News, highlighting the untimely demise of the Arise TV anchor, and the wider media community, noting that her passing was a painful blow to journalism and to the nation.
He further assured Nigerians that his administration will continue to strengthen security measures to safeguard lives and property.
Similarly, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu expressed deep grief over the young journalist’s death, calling it “painful and most unfortunate.”
“I woke up to the sad news of the untimely death of one of our young and brilliant minds in the journalism profession, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, an Arise TV anchor. Her death is painful and quite unfortunate. She has been cut down in her prime,” she said.
The First Lady extended condolences to the Chairman of Arise Media Group, Chief Nduka Obaigbena, as well as to the bereaved family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones.
She prayed that God grants them the strength to bear the irreplaceable loss and expressed hope that justice will be swift.
“May her soul rest in peace, and may God comfort her family and all who mourn her,” she added.
Credit: Nigerian Tribune