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Rangers Demand Urgent CAF Action Against MC Alger Ahead of Crucial Second Leg
Rangers International have petitioned the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to order their CAF Champions League return leg against MC Alger to be played behind closed doors following the destruction of stadium property by visiting supporters in Abeokuta.
The Nigerian champions, Rangers International, made the request after defeating Algerian club MC Alger 2-0 in the first leg of their second preliminary-round tie at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
In a formal complaint sent to CAF, Rangers accused travelling fans of damaging stadium facilities, breaking down an entrance gate, vandalising seats, and entering the venue without following standard ticketing procedures.
Rangers, through their general manager and chief executive officer Amobi Ezeaku, asked CAF to investigate the incidents and impose appropriate sanctions. The club also requested payment of outstanding admission fees resulting from the unauthorised entry, providing photographic and video evidence alongside their petition.
The incidents have raised serious security concerns ahead of the return leg scheduled for Friday, October 23, in Algiers, Algeria.
The Nigerian side urged CAF to ensure adequate security measures are put in place to protect players, technical crew, and officials. They also asked that MC Alger and the Algerian Football Federation provide written assurances regarding crowd control and protection against violence or intimidation.
Rangers explained that their request for a closed-door match was intended to prevent further incidents and guarantee the safety of everyone involved, rather than punish responsible fans. The club cited several provisions of CAF Champions League regulations regarding disciplinary measures, ticketing arrangements, and match commissioner responsibilities.
Rangers urged CAF to review the match commissioner’s report before making a decision ahead of Friday’s encounter, stressing that football passion should never justify property destruction.
Despite the off-field concerns, the Nigerian club holds a solid 2-0 advantage heading into the crucial second leg as they target qualification for the CAF Champions League group stage.
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PLATEAU RETRAINS 353 OPERATION RAINBOW OPERATIVES, DEPLOYS VEHICLES TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY OPERATIONS
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The Plateau State Government has intensified efforts to strengthen its community-based security architecture with the retraining of 353 operatives of Operation Rainbow and the provision of operational vehicles to enhance security operations across the state.
The operatives successfully completed their training and passed out on Monday, November 9, 2026, during a colourful parade held at the New Zaria Road Stadium in Jos.
The retraining programme is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the operatives in intelligence gathering, early warning mechanisms, community engagement and rapid response to security threats.
The initiative is also expected to improve collaboration between local security structures and other conventional security agencies, particularly in identifying potential threats and preventing security breaches before they escalate.
The provision of operational vehicles is another significant step towards improving the mobility, operational efficiency and response capabilities of Operation Rainbow personnel, especially in communities where timely security intervention is critical.
With the retraining of the 353 operatives and the additional logistical support, the state government is reinforcing its commitment to community-driven security and proactive measures to protect lives and property.
Operation Rainbow remains an important component of Plateau State’s local security framework, particularly in strengthening grassroots intelligence and fostering cooperation between security personnel and local communities.
The development represents another step in the state’s ongoing efforts to build a more responsive, coordinated and effective security system across Plateau State.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in Cross River State has welcomed the directive by Governor Bassey Otu for the arrest of suspected thugs accused of attacking opposition figures, describing it as a step towards protecting political participation and preventing violence ahead of the 2027 elections.
The council said the action would help protect the rights of political parties and create an atmosphere for peaceful political competition in the state.
The state chairman of IPAC, Engr. Effiom Edet Okon, stated this in a press statement issued on Monday, November 9, while outlining the council's plans to promote political accountability and peaceful coexistence ahead of the elections.
The council, however, urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns, responsible communication and peaceful competition, warning that political ambition should not endanger lives or public order.
As part of its accountability drive, IPAC announced plans to tour the 18 local government areas to inspect government projects, assess their level of implementation and determine their impact on communities.
It said the exercise would also identify areas requiring intervention and provide recommendations for improved service delivery.
The council disclosed that the tour would involve local government chairmen, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, political party leaders, aspirants, candidates and community representatives.
IPAC also announced plans to organise a statewide political stakeholders' conference to promote dialogue, consensus-building and responsible political participation.
In addition, it scheduled a political parties' peace walk for Saturday, December 5, 2026. The event has as its theme, 'Unity in Diversity, Peace for a Greater Cross River'.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the democratic space and ensuring that political disagreements do not degenerate into violence as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
IPAC welcomes directive for arrest of suspected thugs attacking opposition figures
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