The grieving father of the late Arise TV reporter, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, has publicly raised serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding his daughter’s tragic death, challenging reports that she jumped from a storey building. Engr. Ifeanyi Maduagwu insists that his daughter did not take her own life and strongly believes she was murdered under suspicious circumstances.
Engr. Maduagwu made these remarks while addressing recent claims that Sommie died during an armed robbery attack at her residence in Abuja. He questioned the official narrative, stating that his daughter was careful, intelligent, and would never have jumped from a building merely because she encountered robbers at her home.
The incident reportedly took place in September at Katampe area of Abuja, a locality that has been in the news previously for security concerns. Speaking with BBC Igbo, Sommie’s father recounted that he was offshore when he received the initial notification about his daughter’s condition, a call that would forever change his life.
He explained that a friend had called him to inform him that Sommie was ‘injured’ and that his immediate attention was required. Soon after, his son, who resides in Budapest, also called to inquire about the situation. Upon learning from his son the full extent of the incident and that it involved an armed robbery, Engr. Maduagwu was overwhelmed with grief and broke down in tears.
Engr. Maduagwu maintains she was murdered
Expressing his deep suspicion, Engr. Maduagwu emphasized that something was amiss and that the details surrounding his daughter’s death did not add up. He repeatedly stressed that Sommie’s character and nature were such that she would never jump from a storey building, and he firmly believes that her life was intentionally taken by someone during the incident.
Father recounts receiving the tragic news
Engr. Maduagwu opened up about the moment he first received the shocking news. While offshore, he was informed by a close friend that his daughter had been ‘injured’ during a violent incident. Shortly after, his son reached out, urging him to understand what had transpired. It was then that he was told about the robbery at Sommie’s residence, a revelation that left him heartbroken and in disbelief.
The emotional father shared that despite being informed about the circumstances of the robbery, he could not accept the explanation that his daughter jumped from a building. He reiterated his belief that foul play was involved and that the true details surrounding Sommie’s death must be investigated thoroughly to uncover the truth.
Watch his emotional statement below…
“My daughter, I know, can never jump from a storey building just because she saw årmed røbbers. I strongly believe my daughter, Sommie, was mvrdered.”
—Engr. Ifeanyi Maduagwu, father of the late Arise TV anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, who d!ed during an årmed røbbery att@ck at… pic.twitter.com/11wDKSaHKM
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) October 20, 2025