News
Troops killed 40 terrorists, rescued 72 hostages in one week: Official
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) say troops neutralised over 40 terrorists, rescued no fewer than 72 kidnapped victims, and recovered large caches of arms and illicit materials in nationwide operations between April 3 and April 9.
The director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a weekly operational briefing on Friday in Abuja.
Mr Onoja said troops also dismantled illegal refinery sites, foiled multiple attacks, and disrupted terrorist logistics networks across all theatres of operation.
In the North-East, he said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled coordinated terrorist advances in Borno, particularly around Dikwa and Benisheikh, using sustained artillery and mortar fire.
Mr Onoja said an ambush operation in Gwoza led to the neutralisation of a terrorist and the recovery of ammunition materials and logistics supplies.
He, however, confirmed that troops came under heavy attack in Benisheikh, resulting in the death of four personnel, including brigade commander O.O. Braimah.
In the North-West, Mr Onoja said the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued 49 kidnapped victims, including infants, and arrested suspected collaborators linked to notorious kingpin Ado Aleiro.
He said troops also recovered arms and repelled attacks in Zamfara, Katsina, and Kadunastates, while responding swiftly to distress calls and preventing escalation of violence.
In the North-Central zone, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Enduring Peace neutralised several terrorists, including 10 in a major encounter in Plateau, and rescued 21 kidnapped victims during clearance operations.
He said troops destroyed terrorist camps, recovered weapons, and apprehended suspects linked to killings and cattle rustling in Benue and Plateau.
Mr Onoja added that troops of Operation Savannah Shield repelled an attack in Kwara with no casualties, maintaining dominance across criminal enclaves.
In the South-East, Mr Onoja said the troops of Operation Udo Ka recovered improvised explosive devices and arrested suspected IPOB/ESN collaborators in Abia and Anambra.
He said a joint operation with security agencies in Imo led to the neutralisation of a terrorist andthe destructionn of a major camp.
In the South-South, he said the troops of Operation Delta Safe intercepted stolen petroleum products, dismantled illegal bunkering infrastructure, and recovered arms in Delta and Rivers.
Mr Onoja said troops also rescued kidnapped victims and recovered ransom money during anti-kidnapping operations in Delta.
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain intensified operations to degrade terrorist capabilities and safeguard lives and critical infrastructure nationwide.
The defence spokesman said the chief of defence staff, Olufemi Oluyede, commiserated with families of fallen soldiers, assuring them that their sacrifices would not be in vain.
According to him, ongoing operations will be intensified as a tribute to fallen heroes and to ensure lasting peace and security across the country.
(NAN)
News
NPFL 2025/2026: How Kun Khalifat FC Escaped Relegation With Second-Stanza Magic, Smart Recruitment
In a league season where survival often depends on experience, money, and consistency, few stories capture the spirit of resilience better than the dramatic escape of Kun Khalifat FC in the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign.
At one point in the season, relegation looked almost inevitable for the Owerri-based side. Results were poor, confidence was low, and many observers believed KKFC lacked the squad depth needed to survive the brutality of the NPFL.
But football has a way of rewarding courage, smart planning, and bold decisions.
What followed in the second stanza of the season was nothing short of extraordinary.
The Turning Point That Changed Everything
The biggest gamble came during the mid-season transfer window when KKFC owner Micheal Ahamefula made a decision many supporters initially questioned.
Rather than hold on emotionally to key players, he sanctioned the sale of three important squad members to Barau FC:
Ebuka Nwokorie
Henry Ezeonye
Uche Moses
The transfer reportedly brought in about ₦15 million in sign-on fees.
For many struggling NPFL clubs, that money could easily disappear into operational expenses. But Ahamefula had a different vision.
Instead of panicking in the market for expensive stars, he returned to the football streets of Owerri , searching for hungry, overlooked, and ambitious talents desperate for an opportunity. That decision ultimately saved KKFC’s season.
The Street Recruitment Strategy That Worked
From local football circles and lesser-known setups emerged a new wave of players who transformed Kun Khalifat FC’s campaign:
Uchechukwu Onuoha
Chijoke Ejiogu
James Ekebuike
Ebuka James
Mmesoma Nnorom
What looked like low-profile recruitment soon became one of the smartest rebuilding projects of the NPFL season.
The new arrivals brought hunger, energy, fearlessness, and tactical balance to a side fighting for survival.
Uchechukwu Onuoha Became the Symbol of Survival
No player represented KKFC’s great escape more than striker Uchechukwu Onuoha.
Signed during the second half of the season, the forward exploded into form at exactly the right moment.
Onuoha scored eight goals in the second stanza alone, becoming the attacking spark that reignited KKFC’s survival hopes.
His movement, finishing, and ability to score under pressure gave the club belief during the most difficult weeks of the campaign.
Every survival story needs a hero.
For KKFC, that hero was Onuoha.
The Supporting Cast That Delivered Under Pressure
While Onuoha grabbed the headlines, survival was also built on collective effort.
James Ekebuike contributed crucial goals after joining mid-season, adding attacking depth and relieving pressure from the frontline. His four-goal contribution proved vital in tight fixtures.
Creative midfielder Mmesoma Nnorom provided key assists and attacking intelligence, helping KKFC become more dangerous in transition during the closing stages of the season.
At the back, veteran goalkeeper Chijoke Ejiogu brought leadership, composure, and experience. In several must-win encounters, his saves preserved valuable points that eventually kept the club afloat.
These were not superstar signings.
They were simply players who arrived with purpose.
The Five-Game Run That Saved Their NPFL Status
When the pressure became unbearable, KKFC produced their best football of the season.
The club went unbeaten in their final five matches, picking up an astonishing 13 points from a possible 15.
That remarkable run completely altered the relegation picture.
At a stage where every mistake could have sent them down, Kun Khalifat FC suddenly became one of the most difficult teams to beat in the league.
The confidence returned. The goals arrived. The belief spread through the squad.
And by the end of the campaign, the same club many had already written off completed one of the most impressive survival escapes of the NPFL season.
Micheal Ahamefula’s Midas Touch
Football survival is often discussed in tactical terms, but KKFC’s escape also became a lesson in football management and investment.
Micheal Ahamefula understood something many club owners fail to recognize — smart recruitment can outweigh expensive recruitment.
He sold assets at the right time, reinvested wisely, trusted grassroots scouting, and rebuilt a competitive squad without reckless spending.
That strategy changed the destiny of the club.
Now, the reward may extend beyond survival itself.
Bigger Clubs Are Already Circling
The performances of KKFC’s second-stanza recruits have reportedly attracted attention across the Nigerian football scene.
As many as nine Kun Khalifat FC players are now being monitored by bigger clubs ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Ironically, the same survival battle that nearly destroyed the club could soon become a financial breakthrough.
If KKFC successfully cash in on these emerging talents, owner Micheal Ahamefula may once again smile to the bank — proving that proper football investment is not always about spending more, but spending wisely.
More Than Survival
Kun Khalifat FC’s 2025/2026 campaign will not simply be remembered as a relegation escape story.
It was a season that demonstrated the power of scouting, courage, calculated risks, and belief in grassroots talent.
While bigger clubs chased expensive solutions, KKFC went back to the streets of Owerri and found players hungry enough to save a football club.
In the end, that hunger became their greatest weapon.
The National Information Technology Development Agency has denied any affiliation with an online earning and marketing platform known as CPM. This rebuttal follows reports that the platform was demanding money from users to repair its allegedly hacked systems.
The agency issued the disclaimer in a statement signed by its Director, Corporate Communications and Media Relations Department, Hadiza Umar, on Monday, describing the reports as false and misleading.
According to media reports, subscribers via the platform operators reported that their systems had been hacked and that additional payments were required from subscribers to resolve the issue and recover funds.
NITDA allegedly was helping them to resolve the issue and that subscribers needed to make additional payments to support the process.
NITDA debunked those reports dissociating itself from CPM, noting that the agency, as a government agency, did not request money.
“NITDA wishes to categorically state that these claims are false and misleading.
“As a government agency and Nigeria’s Information Technology regulator, NITDA does not request or collect money from citizens to provide incident response support, recover funds, or assist private entities in resolving cybersecurity incidents,” NITDA said.
The agency alleged that the efforts of the so-called CPM to disguise itself as NITDA indicated possible social engineering and fraudulent activity. It said the efforts targeted exploiting affected individuals under the pretence of resolving a cybersecurity incident or recovering lost investments.
NITDA warned Nigerians against making financial payments to any bodies or organisations that claim NITDA requires such payments for operations.
“Members of the public are therefore strongly advised to exercise caution and avoid making any additional payments to any individual, group, or platform claiming that such payments are required by or connected to NITDA.
READ ALSO: NITDA, IDCA partner to transform Nigeria’s digital economy
“The reported pattern may indicate possible social engineering or fraudulent activity aimed at exploiting affected individuals under the guise of resolving a cybersecurity incident or recovering lost investments,” the agency said.
NITDA said Nigeria should exercise caution when dealing with online investment and trading platforms and must avoid sending additional funds in an attempt to recover previous investments or losses.
The agency added that online users must verify any claims of government involvement directly through official channels and refrain from sharing sensitive personal or financial information with unverified entities.
The regulator reiterated that Nigerians must promptly report suspicious cyber-related activities to the appropriate authorities to contain increasing risks of online attacks and fraud.
“NITDA remains committed to promoting cybersecurity awareness and protecting the public against cyber-enabled fraud and deceptive online activities.”
-
Entertainment3 days agoJos Wildlife Park Hosts The Honeybee Experience
-
News4 days ago
APC Primaries: Dickson Chollom Petitions Party Over Alleged Lack of Election in Barkin Ladi
-
News4 days ago
“No Elections Were Conducted, Yet Results Appeared” — Diket Plang Leads APC Aspirants in Petition Over Plateau Primaries
-
News3 days ago
Nigerian Football: Transforming Individual Brilliance Into National Success
