The death of Arise TV journalist Somtochukwu Maduagwu following an armed robbery attack must jolt government agencies in Nigeria into action, not repeated condolences.
Development Diaries reports that Maduagwu tragically passed away in the early hours of Monday, 29 September, following the incident in the Katampe area of the nation’s capital, Abuja.
Maduagwu’s death highlights the vulnerability of everyday citizens in the face of growing insecurity.
According to the Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) 2024 survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigerian households reported over 51.8 million crime incidents between May 2023 and April 2024.
Among those, more than 4.14 million were cases of home robbery, with only about 36.3 per cent, which was less than half of the number of the victims, reporting their experience to the police.
In Abuja alone, violence is creeping ever closer to where people should feel safest.
According to a 2024 report, Beacon Consulting’s data shows that since May 2023, over 200 violent attacks in the FCT have led to at least 87 deaths and 176 kidnappings.
Maduagwu’s death highlights the everyday vulnerability of citizens. Armed robbers can invade a home in the capital, yet the police, whose duty is to protect, are often underfunded, slow to respond, or absent altogether.
Citizens have long complained of poor investigations and a justice system that rarely delivers. How many more lives must be lost before security agencies are held accountable?
This tragedy also represents a deep loss. At just 29, Maduagwu was a lawyer, a journalist, and part of the professional youth Nigeria desperately needs for growth and development.
Insecurity robbed her of her future and robbed Nigeria of her talent. Every time the country loses a bright young mind this way, it feeds fear, fuels brain drain, and reinforces the message that Nigeria cannot protect its own.
Nigeria cannot keep burying the promise of its young people because leaders refuse to fix security. This is why urgent action is needed.
As citizens, we should demand that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, ensure investigations into the incident are carried out and justice is served.
Nigerians need real police reforms, faster investigations, and justice that does not die in silence.
Photo source: Sommie Maduagwu/X
