BREAKING: Reports Suggest Rival Armed Groups Clashed in Niger State

BREAKING: Reports Suggest Rival Armed Groups Clashed in Niger State

Reports from local sources indicate that unidentified injured fighters were reportedly being airlifted by security personnel monitoring the situation from Kaboji Primary School in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to the reports, a group of armed men allegedly arrived from Zamfara State on the previous day and entered Tashan Bare in Mashegu LGA, where they reportedly demanded 30 gallons of petrol and prepared meals from residents.

Local accounts further suggest that the group may have been sent by the notorious bandit leader Dogo Gide to confront Lakurawa fighters operating around the Ibbi Forest axis. If accurate, such a clash could indicate rivalry between armed groups, though these claims have not been independently verified.

Sources also claimed that Lakurawa fighters retreated after suffering significant losses during the reported confrontation.

As of the time of this report, Nigerian security authorities have not officially confirmed the identities of the fighters, the circumstances of the reported airlift, or the alleged involvement of any specific armed group. Further official information is awaited.

THE MAN WHO DISCOVERED AND SHAPED SOME OF NIGERIA'S BIGGEST FOOTBALL STARS!

THE MAN WHO DISCOVERED AND SHAPED SOME OF NIGERIA'S BIGGEST FOOTBALL STARS! 

Before many Nigerian footballers became household names, there was a visionary coach working tirelessly behind the scenes to discover, train, and inspire the next generation.

That man was Kashimawo Laloko—one of the greatest grassroots football developers in Nigerian history.

Born in 1944, Laloko dedicated more than four decades of his life to football as a coach, educator, administrator, and mentor. While he never became famous as a professional player, his influence on the game was extraordinary because of the countless young talents he helped develop.

In 1992, he founded the Pepsi Football Academy, a groundbreaking youth football programme that gave thousands of Nigerian children the opportunity to pursue their dreams regardless of their background. Under his leadership, the academy expanded across Nigeria and became one of Africa's most respected football development institutions.

Many players who passed through the academy went on to represent Nigeria and enjoy successful professional careers, including John Obi Mikel, Obafemi Martins, Osaze Odemwingie, Sunday Mba, Elderson Echiejile, and Stephen Makinwa, alongside many other talented footballers.

Laloko also served as the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), where he helped strengthen coaching education, youth development, talent identification, and technical planning. He consistently believed that Nigeria's football future depended on investing in young players and providing them with proper guidance, discipline, and opportunities.

Throughout his remarkable career, he: 🏆 Founded the Pepsi Football Academy in 1992. ⚽ Mentored thousands of young footballers. 🇳🇬 Helped produce several Nigerian internationals. 📚 Promoted modern coaching methods and football education. 🌍 Left a lasting impact on grassroots football in Nigeria and inspired youth development programmes across Africa.

Those who worked with him often described him as disciplined, humble, passionate, and deeply committed to helping young people succeed. Although he kept his family life private, he became a father figure to many of the players he coached, earning respect for his wisdom, leadership, and dedication.

Sadly, Kashimawo Laloko passed away on 26 March 2021 at the age of 76 after a brief illness. His passing was widely mourned across the Nigerian football community, with former players, coaches, administrators, and fans paying tribute to a man whose legacy continues to shape the game.

Today, every young footballer who dreams of rising from grassroots football to the world stage is walking a path that pioneers like Kashimawo Laloko helped create.

🕊️ Rest in peace, Coach Kashimawo Laloko. Your vision, leadership, and commitment to developing young talents will never be forgotten.

❤️ If you believe Nigerian football legends deserve to be celebrated, LIKE this post, SHARE it with fellow football lovers, and tell us in the comments which player developed through the Pepsi Football Academy inspired you the most.

#FineworldTV #NigerianFootball #KashimawoLaloko #FootballHistory #GrassrootsFootball

Bandits: We Used Fighter Jet, Tracked Them On Motorcycles To Their Forest Hideouts & Killed Them-DHQ

Bandits: We Used Fighter Jet, Tracked Them On Motorcycles To Their Forest Hideouts & Killed Them-DHQ

According to a video published by Viable TV on Thursday, July 2, 2026, the Defence Headquarters announced that the Nigerian Air Force carried out a successful precision airstrike against suspected terrorists after tracking them to their hideouts in the Kandan area of Yadi Forest, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on June 19.

The Defence Headquarters spokesperson said aerial surveillance platforms monitored the movement of the suspected terrorists as they travelled on motorcycles into the forest before air assets engaged and destroyed them along with their supplies at the hideout.

He explained that the operation formed part of an intensified air campaign across Kaduna State, which had included continuous patrols over the Kaduna–Abuja highway and the vicinity of the Nigerian Defence Academy following the technical disruption experienced on the Abuja–Kaduna rail line days earlier.

According to the spokesperson, the June 19 strike was intended to capitalize on the ongoing operations by preventing the suspected terrorists from regrouping or relocating to other areas.

Describing the mission, he stated, "On the 19th, air power assets in the Kandan area of Yadi forest in Giwa local government area, Kaduna state tracked terrorists on motorcycles to their forest hideouts and executed a precision strike, neutralizing the terrorists and their stores."

He also revealed that a similar operation was conducted on June 22 in the same Kandan area, where four suspected terrorists riding motorcycles were tracked to another hideout and neutralized.

The spokesperson said reports from residents of Giwa and surrounding communities suggested that the sustained air operations had substantially disrupted the activities of terrorists and bandits by limiting their movement and operational capacity.

He added that the repeated air interdiction missions highlight the Nigerian Air Force's increasing contribution to joint military operations aimed at supporting ground forces and weakening the capabilities of armed groups operating within Kaduna State's forested areas.