Former Big Brother Naija star Venita Akpofure has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of her cousin and childhood god-sister, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a 29-year-old journalist and television anchor with Arise TV.
According to reports, Somtochukwu lost her life on Monday, September 29, during a robbery attack at her apartment in Katampe, Abuja. She was said to have fallen from the balcony of her third-floor apartment while trying to escape the assailants.
Taking to social media, a heartbroken Venita shared her pain, revealing that she had helped raise Somtochukwu when she was a baby. “I can’t do this. I’ve been crying so badly. Sommie is my cousin and god-sister. I babysat her from childhood,” she wrote, alongside a series of emotional posts and old photos of them together.
Venita also reposted an earlier message from the late anchor, where Somtochukwu had expressed her love and support for Venita during her time on Big Brother Naija, describing her as an inspiration.
Fans, friends, and colleagues of both women have since flooded social media with messages of condolence, describing Somtochukwu as a brilliant, kind-hearted, and vibrant journalist whose life was cut short in her prime.
Meanwhile, Somtochukwu’s last tweets have resurfaced online, drawing emotional reactions from Nigerians. In one of her posts shared in August, she wrote, “May Nigeria never happen to me or anyone I care about,” — a statement many now view as eerily prophetic in light of her untimely death.
The media industry and fans alike have called for justice and improved security following her tragic passing, as tributes continue to pour in celebrating her impact and legacy in Nigerian journalism.
