The father of late Arise TV presenter, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, has broken his silence, recounting in painful detail how his beloved daughter’s life was tragically cut short during an armed robbery at her Abuja residence. The grieving parent, Engineer Ifeanyi Maduagwu, described her passing as a piercing wound that has left his entire family devastated and searching for answers.
Father recounts tragic call and shock of her death
Speaking in a heartfelt interview with PUNCH, Engineer Maduagwu narrated the heart-wrenching moment he first got the call about his daughter’s death. According to him, he was at work when his elder brother phoned, urging him to come to Port Harcourt immediately. Initially confused, he pressed for answers but was not given clear details. The confusion deepened because just fifteen minutes earlier, he had spoken with his wife, who gave no indication that anything was wrong. It was only later that the grim reality became clear: his daughter had been killed. “It was tragic, devastating, and unimaginable. All her dreams and her passion for Nigeria were cut short just like that,” he lamented.
He further explained that Somtochukwu had studied in the UK before returning to Nigeria for Law School. He had already booked her flight to return abroad for her master’s program, but she insisted on staying back for at least two years to gain work experience in Nigeria. She was determined, he said, to be part of the solution in a country she deeply loved. “She believed strongly that things were not going well in Nigeria and that her voice had to be heard from within, not abroad. She wanted to contribute, to help change the country,” he recalled.
Cherished memories and her unfulfilled aspirations
Engineer Maduagwu also shared fond recollections of his last joyful moments with his daughter. He recounted a trip to Tangier, Morocco, between September 4 and 9, 2025, where they bonded deeply, visiting the beach and exploring the city together on a double-decker tour bus. “It was just father and daughter, enjoying life and making memories I will never forget,” he said emotionally.
Beyond family moments, Somtochukwu carried big ambitions. She had often spoken about her desire to help the poor, amplify women’s voices in politics, and eventually rise to the position of senator in Nigeria. Her plans for her next birthday, December 26, had already been set—she wanted to travel to her village to cook for her kindred, especially children, just as she had done four years earlier. Sadly, those dreams now remain unfulfilled.
Reflecting on her early life, the father revealed how precious she was to the family: “Sommie was born on December 26, 1995. After her birth, we had no other child for over five years, so she became the handbag of the house. Everywhere we went, it was ‘Sommie, Sommie, Sommie.’ She was full of life—always dancing, laughing, and shining in every gathering. Losing her feels like an arrow straight through my heart.”
Father’s plea for safety and lasting legacy
[/p]The grieving father used the opportunity to call on the government to take urgent measures to ensure the safety of its citizens, stressing that no family should have to endure what his has gone through. “My only plea is that the government should do more to secure lives and stop this endless cycle of violence. No one should be left vulnerable in their own home,” he said firmly.
He ended with a tearful reflection on the daily love and care he would miss from his daughter. “I will miss everything—her constant concern, her calls asking, ‘Dad, have you eaten? Have you checked your vitals? Are you resting well?’ She always cared for me like I was her child. It’s not easy, my brother, it’s not easy. The pain is deep, and I don’t want to cry anymore, because the tears I have shed are already more than enough.”
His words have since moved many across Nigeria, with thousands sending condolences and urging authorities to ensure her killers are brought to justice. The tragic story has become another stark reminder of the insecurity that continues to threaten lives and dreams across the country.