The 8 Division of the Nigerian Army/Sector 2 Joint Task Force North-West (Operation Fansa Yanma) has confirmed that its Strike Team deployed to counter banditry and terrorism in Sokoto has neutralised 11 bandits and recovered a substantial cache of arms.
A statement on the official social media handle of the Nigerian Army Headquarters said the troops acted on precise, credible intelligence.
According to the statement, the Strike Team executed a well-coordinated ambush and engaged the bandits in an intense firefight.
The Army revealed that the operation led to the neutralisation of 11 bandits, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds. Troops recovered eight AK-47 rifles, five extra magazines, and 26 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
READ ALSO: Army Eliminates Notorious Bandit Leader Kallamu In Sokoto
It added that the bold and tactical operation, conducted near Kurawa Village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, also disrupted a planned attack on Tara Village—an area considered critical for cross-movement by terrorist and bandit groups.
The Army stated that the operation not only prevented a potential terrorist attack but also delivered a significant blow to the bandit and terrorist network operating in the Sabon Birni corridor, which has remained a flashpoint in recent times.
Bros icon Matt Goss, whose successful music career has spanned more than 38 years in the music industry, has shared advice to Simon Cowell as he forms a new boyband
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Matt Goss shares advice for success in the music industry(Image: Matt Crossick, PA Media)
Matt Goss has reflected on his career and revealed what Simon Cowell needs to look out for when creating his new boyband. Singer-songwriter Matt, 57, has enjoyed a lengthy career in music and showbiz. He rose to fame as a teen in hit ’80s pop band Bros, which also featured his twin brother Luke and pal Craig Logan.
The group and Matt enjoyed huge success with hits such as When Will I Be Famous? and I Owe You Nothing and has also enjoyed a successful solo career, too – releasing five studio albums. With this in mind, the pop star is more than equipped to share his thoughts on what will make a successful band as Simon Cowell announces his new boyband, which he formed as part of his new Netflix show, The Next Act.
READ MORE: Simon Cowell’s net worth, partner and rise to fame as The Next Act hits NetflixREAD MORE: Simon Cowell’s new boyband pose together in first photo – as their odd name is revealed
Speaking at the Nordoff and Robbins Christmas Carol Concert, which saw Matt perform at St. Luke’s and Christ Church in Chelsea alongside Rick Astley and Katie Melua, Matt compared his experience to being in Bros to one of Simon’s formed bands.
He said: “I feel like me and Luke [didn’t] struggle with that in a way, the fact that we were discovered by a label, we didn’t audition. They heard our music – there was no choreography – Luke played drums, I played multiple instruments and Craig played bass. I think because we were screamed at it’s different. Like, for us, it doesn’t quite gel.”
Matt then added of his advice to Simon: “But I would say in general, pick people that have a solid goal, that are musicians that don’t just want to be famous because fame is the easy part, but the hard part is maintaining.
“A journalist said to me the other day I’ve been in the press every month for 38 years. And I think if somebody said to me, ‘Do you want to have a hit record right now, number one record, and then roll the dice, or do you want a 38-year year career?’ I’d be like, ‘Give me a 38-year career’.
“That’s the true meaning of success to me; is that you’re still in it and there are still options. I’m still amazed that there are things on my horizon. That beautiful thing called hope. I have a very hopeful horizon and that’s a luxury to me.
“I’m gonna continue to navigate the industry the way I’ve done it. And hopefully as a gentleman and a little bit of a bit of a rebel as well, I think I’ve done alright.”
Speaking about taking part in the Nordoff and Robbins Christmas Carol Concert, which raised £50,000 for the charity, Matt said: “First of all, I’m privileged to be asked. But to say yes is easy because they create so much momentum with healing.
“As I said before they put light where there’s darkness. It’s a transformative charity, they change lives. And it’s also a medium that I understand very well – even in my own life and how music has helped me and just to be part of it is really a no-brainer for any musician.”
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It comes as Simon’s new band, called December 10, have been pictured together for the first time as Simon’s new Netflix series, The Next Act, is released on the streaming platform. The lads consist of Cruz (19), Danny (17), Hendrick (19), John (17), Josh (17), Nicolas (16) and Sean (19). They are from Chorley, Rochester, Dublin, London, Lisbon and Walsall, and between them Irish, Brazilian, Indian, Nigerian and Jamaican heritage.
The main ticket ballot for next summer’s World Cup in North America opened on Thursday afternoon.
It’s the first opportunity for fans to secure tickets since the draw was made and the full match schedule announced last week.
Fifa’s pricing model has been criticised, with Football Supporters Europe warning of “record high prices” and “huge financial risks” to follow their teams.
From an earlier phase, the price of tickets ranged from £45 to £5,915.
How does the ballot work?
From 16:00 GMT on Thursday, fans can apply for tickets on Fifa’s website for the matches of their choice.
Each household can request up to four tickets per match and a maximum of 40 across the tournament.
The application window runs until 13 January 2026. There is no advantage to applying early – all fixtures remain available throughout the entire period.
Once the window closes, Fifa will run a lottery to decide which applications are successful.
Fans will be notified by email in February and, if they have been allocated tickets, will be charged automatically.
What about dynamic pricing?
Dynamic pricing – or “variable pricing” as Fifa calls it – will be used in some phases of World Cup ticket sales.
However, the governing body has confirmed that it will not apply during the main ballot. The price you see at the start of the window will be the same at the end.
Prices will still be set based on expected demand for each fixture, with high-profile games likely to cost more.
For now, Fifa hasn’t published any official price lists. It is expected people will know the price of tickets they ballot for on Thursday when it opens.
Fifa has promoted Category 4 tickets as “an accessible entry point to the tournament”.
But their stadium maps suggest the amount of Category 4 seating is extremely limited, and Football Supporters Europe said “their very existence is still subject to caution”.
FIFA
FIFA
How else can I get tickets?
1. FA allocations
Each participating nation receives 8% of the tickets for its matches to distribute to its own supporters.
For England and Scotland, these will be made available to members of the England Supporters Travel Club and the Scotland Supporters Club. Both groups will receive an email with an access code for a Fifa portal, where they can apply from 15 December to 13 January.
These tickets are allocated via a ballot weighted towards members with the highest loyalty points.
Prices are likely to be in line with the main ballot, but FA allocation tickets cannot be resold.
2. Fifa marketplace
Fifa has created its own official platform where fans can resell tickets bought through other phases of the ticketing process.
Sellers can list at whatever price they choose, and Fifa takes a 15% fee from both the seller and the buyer.
Fifa says these fees are “aligned with North American industry trends across various sports” and insists all revenue will be “reinvested to fuel the growth of the game”.
It has also warned supporters against using unofficial resale sites, saying tickets bought elsewhere “may be subject to cancellation without notice”.
3. Hospitality
Fans looking for guaranteed tickets – and not concerned about cost – can opt for official hospitality packages.
These typically cost thousands of pounds and include premium seating, lounge access and upmarket dining.
4. First-come, first-served
Closer to the tournament, any remaining ticket inventory will be released on a first-come, first-served basis, operating much like a standard online ticket sale.
Do I need a visa?
“Your ticket is not a visa,” said United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month.
Indeed, simply being a ticket holder does not guarantee entry to any of the host countries, Canada, Mexico or the US.
Fans planning to travel to the US should apply for either the Visa Waiver Programme (commonly known as an ESTA) or a Visitor Visa (B1/B2) depending on their nationality. UK citizens are normally eligible for an ESTA.
Canada requires most visitors to obtain a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), while Mexico offers visa-free entry to many nationalities, including UK travellers.
US embassies are giving priority appointments to World Cup ticket holders but are still encouraging fans to apply as soon as possible.
It is unclear how ticket holders from countries whose citizens are mostly banned from travelling to the US will fare.
The main ticket ballot for next summer’s World Cup in North America opens on Thursday.
It’s the first opportunity for fans to secure tickets since the draw was made and the full match schedule announced last week.
Fifa’s pricing model has been criticised, with Football Supporters Europe warning of “record high prices” and “huge financial risks” to follow their teams.
From an earlier phase, the price of tickets ranged from £45 to £5,915.
How does the ballot work?
From 16:00 GMT on Thursday, fans can apply for tickets on Fifa’s website for the matches of their choice.
Each household can request up to four tickets per match and a maximum of 40 across the tournament.
The application window runs until 13 January 2026. There is no advantage to applying early – all fixtures remain available throughout the entire period.
Once the window closes, Fifa will run a lottery to decide which applications are successful.
Fans will be notified by email in February and, if they have been allocated tickets, will be charged automatically.
What about dynamic pricing?
Dynamic pricing – or “variable pricing” as Fifa calls it – will be used in some phases of World Cup ticket sales.
However, the governing body has confirmed that it will not apply during the main ballot. The price you see at the start of the window will be the same at the end.
Prices will still be set based on expected demand for each fixture, with high-profile games likely to cost more.
For now, Fifa hasn’t published any official price lists. It is expected people will know the price of tickets they ballot for on Thursday when it opens.
Fifa has promoted Category 4 tickets as “an accessible entry point to the tournament”.
But their stadium maps suggest the amount of Category 4 seating is extremely limited, and Football Supporters Europe said “their very existence is still subject to caution”.
FIFA
FIFA
How else can I get tickets?
1. FA allocations
Each participating nation receives 8% of the tickets for its matches to distribute to its own supporters.
For England and Scotland, these will be made available to members of the England Supporters Travel Club and the Scotland Supporters Club. Both groups will receive an email with an access code for a Fifa portal, where they can apply from 15 December to 13 January.
These tickets are allocated via a ballot weighted towards members with the highest loyalty points.
Prices are likely to be in line with the main ballot, but FA allocation tickets cannot be resold.
2. Fifa marketplace
Fifa has created its own official platform where fans can resell tickets bought through other phases of the ticketing process.
Sellers can list at whatever price they choose, and Fifa takes a 15% fee from both the seller and the buyer.
Fifa says these fees are “aligned with North American industry trends across various sports” and insists all revenue will be “reinvested to fuel the growth of the game”.
It has also warned supporters against using unofficial resale sites, saying tickets bought elsewhere “may be subject to cancellation without notice”.
3. Hospitality
Fans looking for guaranteed tickets – and not concerned about cost – can opt for official hospitality packages.
These typically cost thousands of pounds and include premium seating, lounge access and upmarket dining.
4. First-come, first-served
Closer to the tournament, any remaining ticket inventory will be released on a first-come, first-served basis, operating much like a standard online ticket sale.
Do I need a visa?
“Your ticket is not a visa,” said United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month.
Indeed, simply being a ticket holder does not guarantee entry to any of the host countries, Canada, Mexico or the US.
Fans planning to travel to the US should apply for either the Visa Waiver Programme (commonly known as an ESTA) or a Visitor Visa (B1/B2) depending on their nationality. UK citizens are normally eligible for an ESTA.
Canada requires most visitors to obtain a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), while Mexico offers visa-free entry to many nationalities, including UK travellers.
US embassies are giving priority appointments to World Cup ticket holders but are still encouraging fans to apply as soon as possible.
It is unclear how ticket holders from countries whose citizens are mostly banned from travelling to the US will fare.
