The community has resorted to divine intervention by holding a special prayer session to ensure the safe return of the students abducted earlier this week as the search for the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, continues.
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Hussaini Aliyu, the head of the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, confirmed the development in a Friday phone interview with our correspondent.
He explained that his deputy had been given the authority to represent him despite the fact that he would not be able to attend the prayer session as a result of a number of official obligations.
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As authorities made more aggressive efforts to rescue the victims, Aliyu noted that the entire community was still deeply unhookn by the incident and had turned to spiritual pleading.
He said, “The community has decided to gather on Friday for a special prayer for the safe return of our daughters.”
The district head continued, “We believe prayer is our strongest weapon at this time because the entire community is traumatized.”
Eddie Howe, head coach of Newcastle United, was in a dark mood on the team bus as he watched his team lose to Brentford on the long trip home in December.
Newcastle languishing in the bottom half of the table after suffering a shocking defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium, where Howe delivered some “harsh words” to his players.
It served as the catalyst for a reset that saw Newcastle begin a nine-game winning run.
Nearly a year later, Newcastle appears to need a reboot after another humiliating defeat at Brentford.
Before Saturday’s visit to St James’ Park by former champion Manchester City, they are currently just two points above the relegation zone.
Howe remarked, “We have been quite upfront.” That’s how I work, I tell myself. You can’t possibly be anything else, in my opinion. You must be truthful.
You must assume that these players are moving so quickly for us to stop for that long.
Goal and mentality issues
Howe has sat down during the international break rather than requesting assurances from those in his position.
He has examined training, watched games, and attempted to find solutions to what has been a strange campaign to date.
Newcastle have won six of their past nine games in all competitions, which is easy to forget. In the Champions League standings, Howe’s side is currently sixth. Fulham will host the Carabao Cup holders in the home quarter-final next month. They are still only six points off of fifth place.
However, Newcastle have only won three league games this year, and defender Dan Burn has suggested that their team are struggling with the “mentality challenge” as they battle on a number of fronts.
He stated earlier this month, “I believe Manchester City are the best at doing this.” Whatever kind of competition they enter, regardless of how many days of rest they have, they always have a certain standard that they can expect and always deliver.
This season, Newcastle have not provided enough entertainment.
Since April, Howe’s team hasn’t managed to win a league game, and both ends of the pitch have obvious issues.
Record signing Nick Woltemade has had to take on the scoring load with Yoane Wissa still out with his injury, having scored 44% of Newcastle’s league goals since making his debut in September.
Woltemade has been struggling lately, coming in deep to try to get involved, and the team isn’t succeeding in the closing third.
It is obvious that others need to step up more frequently, even though those in Woltemade have been making adjustments to a very different profile of striker and to him.
The top flight’s top players, including captain Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Elanga, Anthony Gordon, and Harvey Barnes, have all scored just three league goals this season.
“It’s about demonstrating that we have experience.”
At first glance, the defensive image appears more advantageous.
Only Manchester City, Chelsea, and Leeds United, the only teams in the league with fewer shots (117), have kept more clean sheets than Newcastle (15).
However, that does not always mean the whole is true.
In recent weeks, Newcastle have only conceded eight goals in three away games against Brentford, West Ham, and Brighton.
Newcastle did not score a single goal in the top flight’s three previous away games, but they are starting to make more shots available.
It is not surprising that both Brentford and West Ham won more matches against a team and a heavyweight midfield that once praised its physicality, intensity, and ability to cover ground effectively.
Newcastle have consistently glared brittle in the lead and have thrown away nine points from winning positions this year than any other team.
For context, this squad was strengthened by a £100 million plus net spend the summer of last.
However, there was a fear inside that a turbulent window might start to test the waters and that the effects might start to manifest themselves.
Given the hectic schedule, four of the five signings Newcastle made were in the final two and a half weeks of the deal, with little time for them to fully integrate into the system. Alexander Isak only signed for £125m from Liverpool on deadline day after going on strike several weeks prior.
Newcastle have missed Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento’s ability to use Wissa’s pace and instincts at full-back, just as a number of newcomers are still settling in, as they have been sidelined as a result of recent injury.
However, Howe needs to find solutions in the Premier League, whether it is a systemic change, a style change, or a personnel change.
The attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri and the abduction of students at the school have been condemned by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State.
In a statement from Most, the organization’s chairman. Rev. Additionally, the association’s release, Bulus Yohanna, revealed that some teachers and security personnel were compelled to remove them.
READ MORE: Gunmen Abduct Students At School In Niger State, Updates Article
On Friday, it claimed the incident took place between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
The most prominent figure is the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Rev. In Papiri, Agwarra local government area of Niger state, suspected terrorists have previously been notified by Bulus Dauwa Yohanna.
On Friday, November 21, 2025, the incident took place between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., abducting some students, students, teachers, and a severely shot security personnel.
The statement, which was partially read, read, “The CAN expresses deep concern for the safety of the kidnapped children and their families.”
Yohanna assured the general public that the Church is actively working with local authorities, community leaders, and security.
The chairman, who is also the Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, urged the general public to remain calm, support security efforts, and continue to pray for the return of all abducted people.
The CAN also reiterates its commitment to protecting children and promises to update its database as new information becomes available.
May the Lord grant those who have been kidnapped immediate release and continue to defend his people from all dangers.
reportedly, the attackers stormed the Agwara Local Government Area of the state on Friday morning.
The gunmen were reportedly accompanied by a van and riding on over 60 motorcycles.
The Nigerian Navy has taken action to reassure citizens that the country’s waterways will remain secure, secure, and fully protected as the holiday season draws near and travel activity is steadily rising.
During a major sea operation under Exercise Di Mingi, a three-day maritime security drill known as “Safe Waters” in the Ibani language, this confidence was at its peak.
Officers and operatives simulated real-time threats that frequently afflict the maritime domain aboard naval vessels that cut through the Atlantic off Eastern Command.
During the course of the operation, Rear Admiral Kolawole Oguntuga addressed journalists and expressed deep confidence in the Navy’s readiness for the holiday season.
“We anticipate travelers, holidaymakers, and maritime operators.” Our waterways will be used by them all. He said, “I want to make sure Nigerians are safe.
This is a warning for criminals, too. Avoid illegal behavior or you’ll suffer consequences.
Joint Agency Operations and Real-Time Interdictions
Exercise Din Mingi demonstrates the Navy’s ability to respond while mimicking real-world threats.
The Navy, the Army, the Air Force, NDLEA, and other organizations participated in numerous coordinated operations throughout the exercise.
An important highlight was a major success of a drug-related interception that was initiated by information that a ship was passing psychoactive substances along the coast of Nigeria.
25 nautical miles offshore, where NDLEA agents confirmed the presence of cocaine and other hard drugs, were naval ships that were monitoring the vessel. The vessel’s vessel was immediately searched.
In another situation, the Navy responded to a rumored pirate attack.
While Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos stormed the vessel, overpowered the pirates, and secured the crew before safely escorting the ship to harbor, air surveillance equipment was deployed to assess the threat.
Rear Admiral Oguntuga praised what he called “seamless coordination” between the various agencies, citing the rapid development of special forces, accurate air support, and communication flow as evidence that Nigeria’s maritime security system is improving.
He claimed that the exercise exemplifies the operational pillars of the Command, which are professionalism, readiness, welfare, and interagency collaboration.
Regional Command Reaffirms commitment
Rear Admiral Okehie, the flag officer commanding Eastern Naval Command, kicked off the operation aboard NNS SHERE, stating that the Navy fully supports the Chief of Naval Staff’s plan to deploy a motivated, professional force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests.
Each security company has its advantages, according to the statement. Synergy is necessary to address maritime security issues, he remarked.
A Secure Yuletide for Maritime Travelers
The Navy says Exercise Di Mingi sends a strong message to the public that criminal elements won’t be allowed to operate as the shipping industry, passenger movement, and tourism grow in the coming weeks.
Former One Direction star Liam Payne died tragically last year when he fell from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Ruth shared a sweet tribute(Image: Instagram)
Liam Payne’s sister has sent an emotional tribute on the one year anniversary of her brother’s funeral. Liam passed away last year after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires in Argentina. Ruth has shared a string of tributes to the One Direction star since he died at the age of 31. She has now posted a sweet photo on her Instagram story.
The photo shows Liam, apparently in the early days of his career, posing with Ruth for the snap. Alongside the post, Ruth wrote: “A year ago today, the hardest goodbye I’ll ever have, a funeral I should never have had to plan and every day since, I should have never had to live without him.
” Missing him now is part of breathing, it doesn’t get easier, that’s just a lie to make it feel better: Infinite love, infinite loss. “
Ruth’s post comes soon after she shared another tribute on the one year anniversary of Liam’s death. On the anniversary, she shed light on her grief, as well as shared stories about her sibling.
A year on, she said she’s been” paralysed “by the grief as she still attempts to navigate her life without Liam. n emotional social media post, Ruth said:” 1 year, 12months, 52weeks, 365days… whichever way I say it, it still means the most heartbreaking truth that you’re not here any more.
“When you used to go away on tour, and I’d cry that you’d be gone for a while, I always knew you’d come back, but now I can’t get you home, I can’t meet up with you somewhere in the world, I can’t facetime or text to see how you’re doing, it’s an eternal homesick feeling because we can’t go back.
” I underestimated grief, woah did I underestimate it. I am paralysed by it daily. I thought I had felt it before but I know the losses before you were just intense sadness, you are the loss of my life, the one person who I will miss at every single occasion in my life.
“I’d taken for granted that my little brother would be there through life, what a cruel lesson to learn in our 30s, that a sibling is not guaranteed to be a lifer, that I have to face this without you.
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” Your death will never make sense, no matter how much I study it, whatever angle I look at it, it never makes sense. You shouldn’t have died.
“I have a reoccurring nightmare where I am in your hotel room just before it happened and you can’t hear me screaming for you, my brain is locked on your last minutes on this earth, the unaccounted minutes, the minutes I will never have the answers to, the minutes that changed everything”.
She went on to add that their children have “changed massively” and Liam would be “in awe” of his son Bear who he shares with Cheryl.
However, Ruth then said that despite life going on, she will feels his “void from all corners of the earth”. Liam’s blood showed traces of alcohol, cocaine and prescription anti-depressants, which would have left him severely impaired.
Liam had flown to Argentina for a five-day holiday with his girlfriend Kate to see his ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s show, but this extended to two weeks, with Kate later flying back to Miami days before his death.
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Marc Higginson
BBC Sport senior journalist
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England’s pace barrage against Australia on day one of the Ashes series led to former captain Michael Vaughan saying “I would not want to face this attack on this pitch”.
The tourists ‘ five fast bowlers reduced Australia to 123-9 at the close in Perth after England had been skittled for 172.
Ben Stokes produced a superb six-over spell, taking five wickets for 23 runs after Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse had taken two wickets apiece to blow away the hosts ‘ top order.
It meant England finished the day 49 runs ahead after a chaotic opening day that saw 19 wickets fall.
“I don’t remember England bowling overs of this quality]before]”, said Vaughan, who led England to an Ashes victory in 2005.
“The pacers have been consistent, they’ve been skilful, they’ve been quick. I admire this set of England bowlers hugely.
How fast and accurate were England?
CricViz
England’s average bowling speed of 87.6mph was their fastest on record and they combined pace with skill.
In the first 25 overs of their innings Australia were drawn into false shots from more than 40% of the deliveries they faced.
Since such data was collected (2006), that is the fifth-highest percentage of false shots drawn by any bowling team in Test cricket in the first 25 overs of an innings.
Stokes then took over with a five-wicket haul in just 36 balls – the fifth-fastest England bowler to five wickets in an innings.
” There was some brilliant bowling – there’s a bit of movement and steep bounce on this Perth pitch, “added Vaughan.
” You need bowlers to get you out of trouble and all five quick bowlers bowled with skill, pace and were intimidating.
“You can scar a team very early in a series. There were some good tactics by England and tactical manovures they’ll take forward to the second innings and beyond.
” When England were 160-5, I thought go and get 250 because I have seen enough cricket here to know 250 is a good score in the first innings here.
