NEWS
Today in Africa — October 9, 2025: 12 Arrested Over “Sommie” Maduagwu Death in Abuja, Togo’s Samuel Asamoah Faces Paralysis After Neck Injury, Eliud Kipchoge Eyes Marathon Milestone in New York
OkayAfrica has scoured the internet for today’s major news stories, so you don't have to.

Every day, OkayAfrica shares a roundup of news we’re following but haven’t published as full articles. These short updates cover what’s happening on the continent — in culture, politics, and beyond. For more on stories like these, be sure to check out our News page, with stories from across the regions.
Twelve Arrested Over Killing of ARISE News Journalist in Abuja Robbery
Police in Abuja, Nigeria, have arrested 12 suspects linked to the armed robbery that killed popular ARISE News anchor Somtochukwu “Sommie” Maduagwu and security guard Barnabas Danlami at Unique Apartments in Gishiri Village on September 29. The group, part of a notorious criminal syndicate, allegedly attacked the complex in the early hours of the morning, with each suspect reportedly receiving ₦200,000 (about $135) from the operation. Authorities recovered weapons and mobile phones believed to be connected to the crime.
Maduagwu, 29, died after jumping from her third-floor apartment in an attempt to escape, while Danlami was killed during the assault. Maduagwu’s death, compounded by reports that a hospital refused her treatment for lack of ID, sparked national outrage and renewed debate over emergency care and security in Nigeria’s capital. President Bola Tinubu has condemned the killings and ordered justice for the victims.
Togo’s Samuel Asamoah Suffers Broken Neck in On-Field Collision in China
Togolese midfielder Samuel Asamoah is recovering in stable condition after breaking his neck during a match in China’s League One. The 31-year-old Guangxi Pingguo player collided head-first with a pitch-side advertising board on Sunday, October 5, 2025, after being shoved by an opponent, suffering multiple neck fractures and nerve damage. His club said Asamoah faces the risk of high-level paraplegia, meaning potential paralysis from the neck down, and will miss the rest of the season.
Guangxi Pingguo confirmed that Asamoah underwent surgery and thanked fans for their support, saying his recovery will be monitored through follow-up exams. Chinese football officials said the advertising board met international safety standards, though the incident has reignited debate about player safety. The opposing player received a yellow card. Asamoah, who previously played in Belgium, has represented Togo six times internationally.
Eliud Kipchoge Aims to Complete Marathon Legacy at New York City Race
Kenyan running legend Eliud Kipchoge says his career will feel “complete” once he crosses the finish line at next month’s New York City Marathon, the only major race missing from his record-breaking portfolio. The 40-year-old, who holds two Olympic golds and 11 World Marathon Major titles, is the only man to have ever run a marathon in under two hours. Completing the New York race would make him the first athlete to conquer all six marathon majors.
Kipchoge, who last won in Berlin in 2022, acknowledged the toll of age but credited advances in training and glucose-monitoring technology for helping him stay competitive. A vocal anti-doping advocate, he also condemned recent scandals in Kenyan athletics, calling rule-breaking “a shame.” Kipchoge said he will reveal his next career steps after the November 2 race.
RSF Shells Hospital in Sudan’s El Fasher, Killing 13 Amid Ongoing Siege
At least 13 people were killed and 16 injured, including a doctor and nurse, when Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelled the Saudi Hospital in the besieged city of El Fasher on Tuesday night, October 7, 2025. The attack, which destroyed parts of the facility, was condemned by Sudanese medics as a war crime. The RSF has surrounded El Fasher for more than 17 months, trapping hundreds of thousands of civilians and blocking food and medical aid. Satellite imagery shows the group has completed a 35-mile earthen wall, sealing all exits from the city. The UN warns the siege has pushed El-Fasher to the brink of an “even greater catastrophe.”
Senegal Reports 17 Deaths in Deadliest Rift Valley Fever Outbreak in Decades
At least 17 people have died and 119 cases have been confirmed in northern Senegal amid the country’s worst Rift Valley Fever outbreak in decades, health officials said today, Thursday, October 9, 2025. The mosquito-borne disease, which primarily affects livestock but can infect humans through contact with infected animals, has raised alarm in the country’s main livestock region. Experts from the Africa CDC link the rise in cases to climate-related factors like heavy rains and flooding that favor mosquito breeding. Authorities say the response has been slowed by late detection and low public awareness, with officials warning the outbreak could worsen if conditions persist.
Somalia to Add Swahili to National Curriculum to Boost Regional Integration
Somalia will introduce Swahili as a language of instruction in schools and universities, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced at the East African Community summit in Mogadishu. The move aims to strengthen Somalia’s integration within the regional bloc, which it joined last year, and promote trade and communication across East Africa. Education Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir said the government hopes Swahili will eventually become a national language of learning and commerce. The language, already spoken along parts of Somalia’s southern coast, has gained traction in recent years through refugees returning from Kenya and the presence of African Union troops.
COMESA Launches Digital Payment System to Boost Cross-Border Trade
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has launched a new digital payments platform that allows businesses to settle cross-border transactions in local currencies, cutting the cost of converting to U.S. dollars. The Digital Retail Payments Platform, now being tested between Malawi and Zambia, aims to make regional trade cheaper and faster, especially for small and medium enterprises that face high banking fees. Kenya’s trade minister Lee Kinyanjui called it a “game-changer,” noting that transaction costs are expected to drop below 3%. Kenya’s President William Ruto urged deeper financial integration, announcing an additional $150 million investment in regional trade banks to strengthen home-grown financial systems.
Kiir Reinstates Former Army Chief Amid Growing Instability in South Sudan
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has reinstated Paul Nang Majok as Chief of Defense Forces, just three months after firing him, replacing Dau Aturjong, who was reassigned as a defense ministry adviser. The sudden reshuffle, announced on state TV yesterday, Wednesday, October 8, comes as Kiir faces mounting conflict, political tensions, and speculation about his succession. The 74-year-old leader has ruled since independence in 2011, repeatedly delaying elections while his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar, faces a treason trial. Analysts say the constant turnover in military leadership reflects Kiir’s effort to tighten control and manage divisions within the army and ruling elite.
Mali’s Goïta Fires Senior Officers Over Alleged Coup Plot
Mali’s military leader, General Assimi Goïta, has dismissed 12 senior officers, including two brigadier generals, over their alleged roles in a foiled coup attempt on August 1. A presidential decree published yesterday, Wednesday, October 8, cited the dismissals as disciplinary action, following claims that security services thwarted a “subversive act” involving both local officers and a French national, Yann Christian Bernard Vizilier. The move underscores deep internal divisions within Mali’s armed forces as Goïta’s junta faces growing instability and strained ties with France.