By Kingston Magare 30.9.2025
Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) health authorities have denied that ARISE News anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu a.k.a Sommie was denied medical assistance when she was rushed to the Maitama General Hospital in Abuja.
During ARISE Morning Show broadcast Tuesday anchors, Ojy Okpe and Reuben Abati had claimed that Sommie was still alive when she and a security guard were rushed to the hospital, but both were turned away.
“She jumped down from her home when she heard that 14 armed robbers had come to her house. She did not die on the spot,” Okpe narrated.
“She was taken to the hospital, but she was rejected. This really is a tragic, tragic incident. Sommie’s life could have been saved, but the hospital refused to treat her.”
Mr. Abati added: “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.”
However, FCTA Mandate Secretary on Health, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, stated that Sommie was “brought in dead” to the Maitama General Hospital at about 4:30am on Monday.
An X social media user, Sani Yusuf, who claimed to be Sommie’s neighbour, and witnessed the robbery attack buttressed Dr. Fasawe’s position.
“You guys need to stop peddling information that is untrue. I personally paid for and filled her (Maduagwu) and Barnabas’s form, and I brought her ID to the hospital. The hospital never delayed treating anyone. Yeah, I have my personal gripe with them for how they handled the emergency. But stop spreading information that is not true,” he wrote.
Sommie, 29, died on Monday when about 15 armed robbers invaded her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja. A security guard was also killed in the incident.
Sommie...Another victim of insecurity in Nigeria