Tears as Arise TV anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu laid to rest in Anambra

Tears flowed freely on Saturday as the remains of late Arise Television news anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, fondly known as “Sommie,” were laid to rest in her hometown of Agulu, in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The solemn ceremony drew family members, friends, colleagues, and dignitaries, including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who mourned the young journalist and lamented the deepening insecurity in the country.

Describing Maduagwu’s death as “heartbreaking” and “a painful reflection of Nigeria’s worsening security situation,” Obi urged Nigerians to remember her family in their prayers.

“We cannot question God,” Obi said after the funeral Mass. “When I first heard of her death, I didn’t even know she was from Agulu before I tweeted about it. Our coming here is to console the family, though this loss is immense. It is the will of God, and we must not question Him. Please continue to pray for her and her immediate family.”

He added, “Before I left Birmingham yesterday, I told some people I was hurrying back home for the burial of one of my daughters. I asked them to keep her in their prayers as she would be laid to rest today.”

Maduagwu was killed during an armed robbery attack at her Abuja residence in September 2025. Her body was interred around 1:30 p.m. after a funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Agulu.

Delivering the homily, Rev. Fr. Peter Ezewuzie of St. Theresa’s Parish consoled the grieving family, urging them to find comfort in faith and the knowledge that the deceased lived a meaningful and impactful life.

“The Lord who created us knows the beginning from the end,” he said. “You may feel that a life has been cut short, but only God knows why. He loves Christelle Somtoo Maduagwu even more than you do. The best way to honor her is to remember her in your prayers. She is in a better place now.”

Fr. Ezewuzie reminded mourners that “the maturity of life lies in its quality, not its length,” encouraging everyone to live purposefully.

In his remarks, the deceased’s uncle, Obi Maduagwu, expressed gratitude to Arise News for their unwavering support.

“We thank the management of Arise News for standing by us from the very beginning,” he said. “We are also grateful to all who traveled to be here with us.”

Maduagwu’s tragic death sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s media community. Reports indicated that assailants broke into her Abuja home at night, and she was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues, friends, and public figures who remembered her as intelligent, hardworking, and full of promise.

Saturday’s burial brought together journalists, government officials, and members of the Agulu community, all united in paying their final respects to a rising media star whose life, though brief, left behind enduring memories of brilliance, humility, and hope.