By JKNewsMedia
FINAL RITES have been scheduled for late Arise News anchor Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, who died during an armed robbery at her Abuja residence on 29 September.
According to an announcement by her employers, the 29-year-old journalist will be laid to rest on Saturday, 18 October, in Agulu, Anambra State, following a funeral mass at St. Theresa Catholic Church in the same town.
Before her interment, a series of memorial events have been scheduled to honour her life and contributions to journalism.
An “evening of tributes” will take place on Sunday, 12 October, at the THISDAY Dome, Central Business District, Abuja.
This will be followed by a service of songs on Wednesday, 15 October, at the Corpus Christi Cathedral, Kaduna Street, Port Harcourt.
The announcement added that the funeral mass at Agulu will precede her final burial rites.
Maduagwu, who worked as a lawyer, model, news anchor, reporter, and producer, was killed during an armed robbery attack at her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja.
The incident also claimed the life of a security guard, Barnabas Danlami.
The tragic event has drawn widespread condolences from across Nigeria’s media community.
In the days following her death, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command confirmed that 12 suspects connected to the killing had been apprehended.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, Superintendent Josephine Adeh, the suspects were traced through a coordinated intelligence-led operation.
Adeh disclosed that the armed robbery gang obtained their weapons from an illegal arms supplier operating across the Nigeria–Niger 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 said.
She further revealed that all the suspects hail from Kaduna and Katsina States and have confessed to obtaining their weapons from a yet-to-be-identified supplier in Niger.
Adeh explained that the operation to apprehend the suspects was ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, who deployed a special investigation team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Aliyu Abubakar, assisted by Assistant Commissioner Victor Godfrey.
The team tracked and dismantled the network responsible for the deadly robbery that claimed Maduagwu’s life.
The police stated that further investigations are ongoing to identify the arms supplier and uncover other accomplices linked to the attack.
Authorities assured that justice will be pursued to its conclusion.
Maduagwu’s untimely death has been described by colleagues as a loss to Nigerian journalism.
Her colleagues at Arise News expressed deep sorrow, remembering her as a dedicated professional who brought energy and commitment to every broadcast.
Her career spanned law, media, and modelling, reflecting a diverse and accomplished profile that earned her respect among peers and viewers.
The company said the forthcoming funeral events are expected to draw family members, colleagues, and media professionals from across the country.
Meanwhile, with preparations ongoing, tributes continue to pour in for the young journalist whose career was cut short by violence.
Arise News has pledged continued cooperation with law enforcement agencies to ensure all those responsible face prosecutions.
