Arise News presenters have blamed alleged medical negligence for the death of their colleague, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, who was killed during a robbery attack in Abuja.
Maduagwu, a 29-year-old correspondent with the station, was said to have sustained injuries after jumping from her residence when armed robbers invaded the building.
On Tuesday’s edition of The Morning Show, anchors Ojy Okpe and Dr. Reuben Abati described her death as preventable, insisting that she was denied timely treatment at a hospital.
Okpe narrated that the late journalist survived the initial fall but later lost her life after being rejected by medical staff.
“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.
“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,” Okpe said.
It was revealed on the programme that both Maduagwu and an aged security guard were taken to Maitama District General Hospital, where they allegedly died after hospital officials demanded identification before offering treatment.
Abati, in his reaction, condemned the alleged refusal, saying it amounted to a breach of professional duty.
He said, “This is an issue of the law in Nigeria. Anybody who is a victim of an accident… should be treated immediately.
“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 further added, “I hope the hospital is properly identified, and sanctions where appropriate are applied to those on duty… Lives could have been saved.”
The veteran journalist also lamented the risks associated with the profession.
“This job that we do is a very dangerous one. It is unfortunate that a young woman has fallen,” he said.
Maduagwu’s passing has triggered an outpouring of grief, with many revisiting her last post on X in August, in which she wrote: “I pray from the depth of my heart that Nigeria never happens to me or anyone I care about.”
The post, re-shared by Okpe during the broadcast, has since gone viral following news of her death.