₦airaland Forum

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.

President Bola Tinubu has extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu

The President extended condolences to the deceased family, the management and staff of Arise News Television, and the entire Nigerian media fraternity over the death of the journalist in Abuja.

President Tinubu, in a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga , described Ms Maduagwu’s death as a painful loss.

He thereafter ordered security and law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident and ensure perpetrators are arrested and made to face justice.

“Ms Maduagwu was a promising professional journalist whose life was cut short in a cruel and condemnable manner.

“Security and law enforcement agencies should conduct a quick and thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice without delay,” the statement read.

While commiserating with the bereaved family, President Tinubu assures Nigerians that his administration remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, and will continue to strengthen measures aimed at combating crime in all its forms.

LagosOrigin:
Peter Obi is right , Nigeria is a crime scene

Like , why reject someone that needs urgent medical attention to stay alive..

What a country

BATified2023:
so the same obi wants to govern a crime scene?

U people should go n tell him to go n govern the angels he's not needed here

datola:
Who are these arm robbers. Who gavd birth to them.
Are they happy now

donproject2:
May her soul rest in peace.

A certain hospital rejecting an emergency case doesn't necessarily show incompetence or lack of empathy, they may not have the necessary facilities to handle the case. You can't, for example, take a dental issue to an ENT clinic, they don't match, they won'tentertain that.

I am using this example of these specialist hospitals to show that some hospitals may not have the necessary facilities to attend to some special cases.

It saddens my heart when I heard or see cases like this. Someone, somebody's daughter, sleeping peacefully at her home, where she believed there is a maximum security, will just wake to the horrible noise of armed robbery. It is so so sad.

May her soul rest in perfect peace once again, I pray that God console her loved ones she left behind.

BATified2023:
so the same obi wants to govern a crime scene?

U people should go n tell him to go n govern the angels he's not needed here

BATified2023:
so the same obi wants to govern a crime scene?

U people should go n tell him to go n govern the angels he's not needed here

BATified2023:
so the same obi wants to govern a crime scene?

U people should go n tell him to go n govern the angels he's not needed here

YesDaddyTill203:
So she jumped out of fear? She's partly responsible for her own death. I will not be surprised to hear later that the robbers didn't even venture near her.
The hospitals are a microcosm of the Nigerian society; it's about money, greed, selfishness, and unethical behavior.

What you get in any Nigerian hospital is what you get from an average Nigerian. They are a reflection of the society in which they operate.

LagosOrigin:
Peter Obi is right , Nigeria is a crime scene

Like , why reject someone that needs urgent medical attention to stay alive..

What a country

Brendaniel:
Didn't you read that the reason for the rejection was because they were asking for ID card which the people could not provide at the the time...

The non treatment was a systemic failure...