
midfielder Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring his team’s second goal
during the English League Cup third round football match between
Oxford United and Manchester City at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford,
west of London, on September 25, 2018. Adrian DENNIS /
AFP
Manchester City players Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte
have tested positive for coronavirus just five days before the
start of the new Premier League season, the club announced on
Monday.
City said in a statement that French defender Laporte and
Algerian international forward Mahrez were self-isolating in
accordance with Premier League and government rules.
“Neither is displaying symptoms of the virus,” the statement
said.
“Everyone at the club wishes Riyad and Aymeric a speedy recovery
ahead of their return to training and the new season.”
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The Premier League season starts on Saturday but Manchester City
do not open their campaign until September 21, when they play
Wolves.
City and neighbours Manchester United are missing the opening
weekend to give them extra time to recover from a late end to the
2019/20 season because both were involved in European
competition.
Mahrez tweeted: “Thank you for all the nice messages, I’m good.
Stay safe everyone take care of you.”
Laporte thanked fans for their messages of support, saying he
would be back soon.
AFP
Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2020/09/07/man-citys-mahrez-laporte-test-positive-for-covid-19/

Troops Raid Guma Forest, Eliminate 5 B’Haram in
Gwoza
1. In continuation of the aggressive kinetic operations against
armed banditry, cattle rustling and other sundry crimes in the
North-Central zone, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have arrested
4 armed bandits and recovered arms and ammunition during two daring
raids at identified bandits’ camps.
2. In one of the operations conducted on 6 September 2020,
troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE deployed at Guma in Benue State
and Keana in Nasarawa State, conducted a dawn raid at identified
armed bandits’ camp at Guma forest along the Benue-Nasarawa border
following actionable intelligence reports on the location of the
camp. Adopting an aggressive posture and profile, the gallant
troops stormed the location and engaged the bandits in a firefight,
overwhelming them with superior fire. In the process, troops
neutralized one bandit while others fled with gunshot wounds into
the forest. Troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 rifle
magazine, one locally made pistol and 3 mobile phones at the scene
while the camp was subsequently destroyed.
3. Similarly, troops of Sector 1 deployed at Gagbe in Gwer West
Local Government Area of Benue State conducted another dawn raid on
another suspected armed bandits’ hideout at Tse Agi in the general
area. The gallant troops stormed the hideout and apprehended 4
suspects at the scene while one AK 47 rifle, 2 AK-47 rifle
magazines and 46 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition were also
recovered at the location. The hideout was subsequently destroyed
while the suspects are currently being profiled after which they
will be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency for
further action.
4. The Military High Command appreciates the general public for
their cooperation in providing credible information which has so
far facilitated the successes of the operations. The Armed Forces
of Nigeria assures that these offensives against the common enemies
of this Nation will not cease until normalcy is restored to all the
troubled zones of the Country.
JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
7 September 2020.
………….
PRESS RELEASE
OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE: TROOPS NEUTRALISE BOKO HARAM/ISWAP
ELEMENTS, RESCUE KIDNAPPED VICTIMS IN GWOZA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
OF BORNO STATE
1. In continuation of the aggressive clearance operation to
stamp out the North-East zone of the country against the insurgents
and other criminal elements, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has
recorded tremendous successes against BHT/ISWAP elements. Acting on
credible intelligence on the activities of BHT/ISWAP terrorists at
Hamdaga Makaranta town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno
State, troops of 192 Battalion supported by the Air Task Force of
Operation LAFIYA DOLE on 6 September 2020 raided the location. The
gallant troops overwhelmed them killing 5, while others escaped
with gun shots wounds. Troops also cleared 9 identified isolated
BHT/ISWAP structures and farmlands in the area.
2. Furthermore, troops successfully rescued 7 kidnapped victims
comprising 2 females and 5 children. Currently the gallant troops
have dominated the area with aggressive patrols.
3. The Military High Command congratulates the gallant troops
for their dexterity and encourages them to intensify the onslaught
against the criminal elements in the North-East zone of the
country.
JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
7 September 2020.