Hospital Rejected ARISE Late Somtochukwu After Jumping From Her Home, Colleagues Revealed

Colleagues of late ARISE News correspondent, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, have accused a public hospital in Abuja of negligence following reports that the 29- year-old journalist was denied urgent medical attention after sustaining injuries during a robbery attack.

During Tuesday’s edition of The Morning Show , anchors Ojy Okpe and Reuben Abati described the death as a preventable tragedy, linking it to systemic failures in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

According to Okpe, Maduagwu, popularly called “Sommie,” jumped from her residence after learning that 14 armed robbers had stormed the building. Though she survived the fall, she reportedly died after hospital staff refused to provide immediate treatment.

She said, “I reached out to our correspondent in Abuja, who detailed the circumstances surrounding Sommie’s death.

“According to her, the criminal elements numbering about 14 invaded the house, throwing the deceased into panic. “She jumped from her home when she heard that 14 armed robbers came to her house. “She didn’t die on the spot, she went to the hospital, but she was rejected.”

It was further disclosed that Maduagwu and an elderly security guard injured during the invasion were rushed to the hospital, where both allegedly died after staff demanded identification documents before offering medical assistance.

Abati condemned the hospital’s conduct, calling it a violation of medical ethics and Nigerian law.

“This is an issue of the law in Nigeria. Anybody who is a victim of an accident… should be treated immediately,” he said.

“But those who were taken to the hospital were refused treatment because staff were looking for identification. It is the duty of doctors and nurses to stay faithful to their oath, which is to save lives.”

He added, “I hope the hospital is properly identified, and sanctions where appropriate are applied to those on duty… Lives could have been saved.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has expressed sorrow over the death of Somtochukwu. In a statement signed by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, on Tuesday, Wike described her death as painful and tragic for both her colleagues and the nation.

The former Rivers Governor offered prayers for the repose of Somtochukwu’s soul and assured that the police would investigate the circumstances of her death and bring those responsible to justice. He said that her loss affects not only Arise News but the Nigerian media and the country at large.

According to the FCTA Mandate Secretary on Health, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, Somtochukwu was brought in dead to Maitama General Hospital at around 4:30 a.m. on Monday. Fasawe said the preliminary medical report will be handed over to the police to support the investigation.