Oriire Abduction: Army Explains GOC 2 Division’s Role in Dismantling Kidnappers’ Network, Freeing Victims

  A total of 44 pupils and teachers kidnapped by armed men in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after a month-long, intelligence-led joint security operation conducted across the Old Oyo National Park and other locations nationwide. The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed assailants attacked their school in Oriire Local Government, triggering widespread concern and prompting a coordinated rescue mission involving multiple security agencies. Confirming the development in a statement on Friday, the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the successful rescue was achieved on July 10 through a carefully planned and executed operation led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife. According to the statement, the operation brought together personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), particularly the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, Special Forces of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as local vigilantes, hunters and members of the Amotekun Corps. The military said the operation was intelligence-led and focused on identifying and dismantling the terrorist network responsible for the abduction, including its kingpins, logistics channels, informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park forest and other locations. It disclosed that several suspects were arrested in Oyo State and other parts of the country during the operation, adding that the sustained pressure mounted on the criminal network disrupted its activities and ultimately compelled the abductors to release the victims unconditionally. “The operations, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorists’ kingpins that masterminded the kidnapping, bursting and dismantling their networks and logistics links, including their informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest. “Multiple arrests were made within Oyo State and other locations across the country. These arrests completely disorganised the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers,” the statement said. The Army noted that the rescue mission was meticulously planned to prevent collateral damage and ensure the safe recovery of all the abducted pupils and teachers. It, however, disclosed that some security personnel sustained casualties during the operation, without providing further details. The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will subsequently be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families. The GOC, on behalf of all participating security agencies, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing strategic direction, support and resources that contributed to the success of the operation. He also commended Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and residents of the state for their continued support and cooperation with security agencies throughout the rescue efforts. Major General Nnebeife further acknowledged the contributions of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, other Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Directors-General of the DSS and NIA, as well as heads of other participating security agencies for ensuring seamless coordination during the operation. The military also appreciated media organisations and Nigerians for their patience, understanding and confidence in the country’s security architecture, while urging citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies in the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities. The statement added that security agencies are continuing follow-up operations to eliminate the remaining members of the terrorist network behind the abduction completely.

Oyo Abduction Came Hours After My 2027 Presidential Declaration — Makinde

  Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has revealed that the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area happened only a few hours after he publicly announced his intention to run for president in the 2027 election. Makinde made the remark while addressing a meeting with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement in Bauchi, recalling that Oyo had not recorded a similar incident during his seven years in office before the May 15 attack. “For seven years, we didn’t witness anything like this in Oyo State. I declared to run for the presidency of Nigeria at four o’clock, and by 9 a.m. the following morning, the children were abducted,” Makinde said. Hours after Makinde’s remarks in Bauchi, the Presidency announced that all the victims had been rescued after spending 56 days in captivity. The Presidency said the victims were freed during a joint operation involving the military, the Department of State Services and the police, with eight suspected kidnappers arrested and others neutralised. The Presidency disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were apprehended and are being held by the Department of State Services (DSS), while several other suspects were neutralised during the security operation.

BREAKING: Kidnapped Pupils, Teachers From Orire, Oyo Regains Freedom After Over 56 Days In Captivity

  •By ADELEKE MARIA  ABUJA  –  The presidency has announced that pupils and teachers abducted from Orire community school in Oyo state have regained their freedom. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga disclosed the information on his X page, formerly Twitter on Friday. He said, “Finally, the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been freed by their abductors”. Recall that on May 15, 2026, armed bandits linked to a Boko Haram faction had abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers during coordinated morning raids on three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. Their abduction elicited widespread condemnation and protest from cross section of Nigerians, especially the Nigerian Union of Teachers(NUT) which vowed never to return to classrooms until the victims are set free. The victims were said to be held within the expansive 2,500-square-kilometer Old Oyo National Park. While security forces intensified rescue operations and arrested several suspects and local informants, the victims remain in captivity after multiple weeks. The abductors later beheaded one of the teachers in an apparent move to send a warning signal to government. While the rescue efforts persisted, the abductors reportedly demanded for the release of their top commanders in exchange for the freedom of the pupils and teachers. More details later…

FIFA Appoints Portuguese Match Officials for Argentina vs Switzerland Clash

  FIFA has appointed a team of Portuguese match officials to oversee the 2026 World Cup quarter-final clash between Argentina and Switzerland, scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 11, at 9 p.m. EDT at Kansas City Stadium. The decision was disclosed in an X post by FIFA on Thursday. Joao Pinheiro of Portugal will serve as the centre referee for the encounter. He will be assisted by two of his countrymen, Bruno Jesus and Luciano Maia, who will serve as Assistant Referee 1 and Assistant Referee 2 respectively. Canada’s Drew Fischer will serve as the fourth official for the match. His compatriot, Micheal Barwegen, will serve as the reserve assistant referee. FIFA has maintained a practice of assigning officials from countries not involved in a fixture for matches at the tournament. The organisation has not assigned any referee to a match involving his own country at either the group or knockout stages. FIFA had earlier named an all-Argentine team of officials for the World Cup quarter-final between France and Morocco. Facundo Tello served as the centre referee for that match, with Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade as assistant referees. Dario Herrera served as the fourth official for the France-Morocco fixture, while Cristian Navarro was the reserve assistant referee. The appointment generated reactions from football fans, as some questioned the decision on the grounds that Argentina remained in contention at the tournament and could face either France or Morocco in a later round. FIFA’s regulations permit officials from countries still participating in the competition to handle matches, provided they are not involved in games featuring their own national teams. FIFA said this practice has applied consistently across the group stage and knockout rounds since the tournament kicked off in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Former France striker, Thierry Henry, commented on the appointment of the Argentine officiating team for the France-Morocco fixture. Egypt’s Football Association had also petitioned FIFA over refereeing decisions in its Round of 16 match against Argentina. Argentina and Switzerland will battle for a place in the semi-final of the tournament. The winner will advance to face opposition still being decided in the other quarter-final fixtures.

Zamfara Grants Female Civil Servants Six-Month Maternity Leave

  The Zamfara State Government has approved a six-month maternity leave policy for female civil servants in a move aimed at encouraging exclusive breastfeeding and enhancing the health and well-being of both mothers and their children. The announcement was made on Thursday in Gusau by the State Head of Service, Yakubu Haidara, while receiving a delegation from the Civil Society–Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN). According to Haidara, the approval reflects Governor Dauda Lawal’s commitment to tackling child malnutrition and improving nutrition outcomes for infants across the state. “I believe the governor’s approval is aimed at addressing malnutrition among children in the state,” he said. He explained that the extended maternity leave would allow mothers adequate time to recover after childbirth, reduce the risk of postpartum depression, support exclusive breastfeeding and strengthen the bond between mothers and their babies. “It provides essential time for physical recovery, prevents postpartum depression, facilitates exclusive breastfeeding and promotes vital emotional bonding,” Haidara said. The Head of Service noted that the state government and civil society organisations shared a common goal of protecting children and ensuring healthier future generations. He recalled that Governor Lawal approved N500 million in counterpart funding for nutrition programmes last year and expressed optimism that the administration would sustain or increase its investment in nutrition. “I believe this year also the governor will do the same or even more for nutrition activities in the state,” he said. Haidara also assured the delegation that the government would continue to collaborate with development partners and civil society organisations to combat child malnutrition. Earlier, the CS-SUNN State Coordinator, Kabiru Jangeru, described the governor’s approval as a significant milestone in efforts to improve maternal and child nutrition in Zamfara. He said the organisation, with support from UNICEF, had been advocating increased funding for nutrition programmes and the adoption of a six-month maternity leave policy to encourage exclusive breastfeeding. According to Jangeru, the approval aligns with global recommendations on infant feeding and is expected to contribute to better health outcomes for mothers and children in the state. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is recommended by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF as one of the most effective interventions for reducing infant mortality, improving child nutrition and supporting healthy growth and development. The policy is expected to provide working mothers with the time needed to exclusively breastfeed their babies while recovering from childbirth.

Hold Governors Accountable for Kidnappings – Bwala

  Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has said responsibility for kidnappings in states rests with governors and local government chairmen, insisting that the Federal Government should not be blamed for such incidents. Bwala said this on Wednesday during an appearance on The Morayo Podcast Show, where he was questioned on the Federal Government’s handling of the ongoing Oyo State school abduction and rising insecurity across the country. “Every kidnapping and abduction that takes place in any state of Nigeria, hold that governor responsible. All the kidnappings have taken place in local government,” he said. He specifically referenced the Save the School Initiative, a federal programme he said had provided states with funds for perimeter fencing and early warning systems in schools, and challenged Nigerians to query their governors on how the money was spent. “There was this thing called the Save the School Initiative, in which monies were given to states to create perimeter fencing, early warning signs and all of those checks in schools. Ask your governor where that money went to,” he said. Bwala also alleged that local governments across the country were not receiving funds directly meant for them, citing an example from Oyo State. “Every state in Nigeria, and in the local government, there is money that should have gone directly to that local government. I was in Oyo and I engaged with the Oyo State Government. In three local governments in Oyo, I said this local government has 600 million coming here every month, and that’s how it is across Nigeria,” he said. He argued that if such funds were released directly to local government chairmen, they could be used to improve maternal healthcare, basic education, local vigilante security and welfare support for the elderly. The presidential aide also faulted Nigerians for what he described as a culture of waiting passively for government intervention, urging citizens to take their own action in holding local governments to account. “It’s only in Nigeria that citizens wait for manna to come from heaven. In all other countries of the world, citizens take their destinies in their hands,” he said. He explained that under Nigeria’s current constitutional arrangement, the President does not have direct authority over governors, limiting what the Federal Government can do to compel state compliance. “The unfortunate part of the democracy we are practising today is that it does not place the President as a head boy or prefect of the governors. That’s why when Obasanjo was struggling with that, he had to go outside the Constitution to start impeaching governors and even holding monies destined for them. Asiwaju is a democrat; he will not do that. He can only urge them,” Bwala said. He instead urged Nigerians to hold town hall meetings at the local government level and involve the media to publicly demand accountability over unremitted funds. He added that sustained public pressure, rather than isolated complaints, was more likely to draw attention to the issue. Responding to a question from an audience member on the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and teachers, who have now spent over 50 days in captivity, Bwala said the Federal Government’s priority remained securing their safe release rather than a forceful rescue that could endanger their lives. “The number one responsibility of government in a hostage-taking situation is to rescue them and rescue them alive. If you use force carelessly, you may end up jeopardising the lives of the people that are kidnapped,” he said.

From Youth Parliament to Grassroots Leadership: J’Icon’s Next Chapter (INTERVIEW)

From Youth Parliament to Grassroots Leadership: J’Icon’s Next Chapter (INTERVIEW) INTERVIEW SESSION WITH JOSHUA OJO ADEREMI AKIN (J’ICON) Aspiring Executive Chairman, Oriire Local Government 1. Can we meet you? Thank you. My name is Joshua Ojo Aderemi Akin, popularly known as J’Icon. I am a proud son of the family of the Are-Ago of Kedo in Ward 5, Oriire Local Government Area. I studied Urban and Regional Planning at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso. I completed my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Oyo State House of Assembly during the 2018/2019 service year. 2. You’ve held several leadership positions over the years. Could you briefly tell us about your leadership journey? Leadership has been a defining part of my journey for many years. I have served in various student and youth organizations since 2011. I was National Secretary of the Ogbomoso Students’ Union, Vice President and Pioneer Senate President of the Federation of Oriire Students’ Union (FORSU), and one of the co-founders of the Oriire Youth Council (OYC). I also represented Oriire State Constituency in the Oyo State Youth Parliament, where I served as Chief Whip and Public Relations Officer of the Ogbomoso Caucus. These opportunities have equipped me with valuable experience in leadership, advocacy, and public service. 3.  You also worked in government. How has that prepared you for this aspiration? I served as Special Assistant on New Media to the former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Joshua Olagunju Ojo, and later as New Media Aide to Professors Raphael Afonja and Dahud Shangodoyin, former Commissioners for Public Works and Transport in Oyo State. Those experiences exposed me to governance, public administration, policy implementation, and the importance of responsive leadership. 4.  What inspired your decision to contest for the office of Executive Chairman? I recently completed my tenure at the Oyo State Youth Parliament. Rather than seeking a second term, I chose to challenge myself by offering my services from a greater platform. My passion for serving the people of Oriire did not begin today; it dates back to my days as a student union activist at LAUTECH. As I watched our local security outfits respond to the recent security challenges confronting our communities, I realized they needed greater motivation, improved training, and better resources to perform more effectively. I also concluded that one of the best ways to empower our people and drive meaningful development is to serve from a position where I can influence policies and mobilize the necessary support. I believe Oriire deserves empathetic, visionary, and people-centred leadership. After deep consultation, careful reflection, and prayer, I decided to offer myself for greater service. 5.  Security has become a major concern in Oriire. What is your position on this? Security will be the foremost priority of my administration because no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of fear. My administration will work closely with security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, community vigilante groups, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and neighbouring local governments to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve community policing, and restore confidence so that our people can live, farm, and do business safely. 6. You acknowledged the efforts of the state and local governments in your declaration. Why was that important? Leadership should be about continuity where progress has been made. I appreciate Governor Seyi Makinde for his investments in security and intelligence-led operations, as well as his support for the Amotekun Corps. I also commend the Executive Chairman of Oriire Local Government, Hon. Michael Alabi Olateju, for working with security agencies during these challenging times. While there is still more work to be done, it is important to acknowledge genuine efforts where they have been made. 7.  Beyond security, what other priorities do you have for Oriire? My vision is centred on five key areas: strengthening security, improving road infrastructure, providing access to potable water, empowering youths and women through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship, and improving the quality of basic education. These are practical areas that directly impact the lives of our people. 8.  Road infrastructure has remained a challenge in many rural communities. What is your plan? Oriire has nearly 800 communities, and connectivity is essential for development. Improved road infrastructure will facilitate agriculture, boost commerce, improve access to healthcare, and stimulate economic activities across our communities. My administration will pursue strategic partnerships and advocate for road projects that connect our communities and open up economic opportunities. 9.  How do you intend to address unemployment among young people? Youth empowerment is central to my vision. We will revive the Vocational Training Centre within the Local Government Secretariat and introduce practical skills acquisition programmes, entrepreneurship support, and empowerment initiatives that will enable our youths and women to become economically productive. 10.  Education is also one of your priorities. What should the people expect? During my tenure at the Oyo State Youth Parliament, I partnered with the Oriire Youth Council to introduce an annual Pre-UTME Quiz Competition beginning in 2024. The initiative was designed to prepare candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) while encouraging academic excellence among our young people. Outstanding participants received free UTME registration sponsored by our partners and supporters. Going forward, I intend to expand similar initiatives to include inter-primary and inter-secondary school academic competitions across Oriire Local Government. Education is the foundation of sustainable development. We will work to improve learning environments, support quality basic education, and ensure that children in Oriire have the opportunity to compete favourably with their peers anywhere in Nigeria. 11. Some people may say you are still young. Why should they trust you with this responsibility? Leadership is not defined by age but by vision, competence, integrity, character, and a proven record of service. My years of leadership in student organizations, youth development, legislative advocacy, and public service have prepared me for this responsibility. I believe I have the energy, experience, and commitment required to serve effectively. 12. Where do you see Oriire in the next four years … Read more

Bandits threatened to kill Oyo pupils if troops came closer — Defence Minister

  The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that the bandits who abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State warned they would kill the victims if security operatives attempted to move closer to their hideout. Musa said this in a preview clip of an interview with News Central, shared on Wednesday ahead of its broadcast on the NC Exclusive programme on Friday. He explained that the kidnappers were using the children as leverage to secure the release of their commanders in military custody. “For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commander. Shoot terrorists without delay, defence minister orders troops Don’t wait for order before shooting terrorists, Defence minister tells soldiers “And now they’re threatening when we wanted to take action against them that if we come any closer, they’re going to kill all the kids,” he said. The minister’s comments come nearly eight weeks after gunmen abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and two other schools in Esinle, in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state, on May 15. Speaking further on measures to curb banditry and kidnapping, Musa backed the death penalty for perpetrators, saying weak laws had emboldened criminals. “I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment,” he added.

World Cup: Egypt Coach Claims FIFA, Referee Favoured Argentina

  Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has alleged that FIFA and the match officials showed favouritism towards defending champions Argentina following his team’s dramatic 3-2 defeat in the Round of 16. Egypt surrendered a two-goal lead on Tuesday as Argentina staged a remarkable comeback, inspired by Lionel Messi, who created one goal and scored the equaliser before Enzo Fernández netted a stoppage-time winner. The Egyptians were left frustrated after a goal was ruled out following a VAR review, while officials declined to review an incident in which they believed Mohamed Salah was fouled by Alexis Mac Allister in the build-up to Argentina’s winning goal. Speaking after the match, Hassan alleged that external influences affected the outcome. “We looked better than the reigning champions—better in everything—but the result was influenced by internal factors on the pitch and external factors off it. “Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running. In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champion received support at every level,” he said. Hassan also questioned the appointment of French referee François Letexier, claiming Egypt had raised concerns before the match. “There seems to be pressure from the Argentine side on this outcome. We were objecting to the selection of the referee because of the French situation, but everybody has to suffer at some point, and we suffered,” he added. The coach further criticised the officiating, insisting Egypt had been denied a penalty and unfairly had a second goal ruled out. “We haven’t seen respect or fair play. A penalty was ruled out. It was not even checked by the VAR, and our second goal was remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed. “I want to put it in beautiful words and say, ‘Hard luck,’ but we have been treated unfairly, and it has been an injustice,” he said. Hassan disclosed that he confronted Letexier after the final whistle. “What I told the referee was, ‘This is unfair.’ I said maybe he isWorld Cup: Egypt Coach Claims FIFA, Referee Favoured Argentina carrying a scar or has something to hide. If somebody is trying to hide something, they often fail to hide it,” he added. Egypt forward, Mostafa Zico, also questioned the officiating after the defeat. “Hard luck. The match was in our hands and slipped away at the last moment. Strange things happened on the pitch. “We were hard done by today, and everyone saw that. We were winning 2-0. After the 2-0 result, everything went against us. I don’t even know why the second goal was disallowed, but we must look for a solution,” he stated.

France, Morocco Set for World Cup Quarter-Final Rematch

  France will continue their quest for a third FIFA World Cup title on Thursday when they face Morocco in a highly anticipated quarter-final clash, as the tournament’s star-studded last-eight stage gets under way. After a month of scintillating action that has dispelled pre-tournament anxieties over sky-high ticket prices and geopolitics, the biggest, boldest and most logistically complex World Cup ever staged has been whittled down to eight teams. France, who have emerged as the outstanding team of the tournament after a series of dazzling attacking displays, face arguably their toughest test so far in the shape of African champions Morocco at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, outside Boston. Les Bleus have surged into the last eight in style, scoring 14 goals in five games — seven of them from in-form captain Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe is one of four star strikers who are leading the chase for the World Cup’s Golden Boot as the tournament enters the home stretch. Argentina’s Lionel Messi tops the scoring chart with eight, Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland have seven each and England’s Harry Kane has six. Thursday’s opening quarter-final is a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semi-final in Qatar, won 2-0 by France, who would go on to lose in the final against Argentina. – Tactical nous – Morocco meanwhile have looked impressive en route to the last eight, easing through the group phase before battling past the Netherlands in the last 32 and swatting aside Canada in the round of 16 last weekend. The Atlas Lions will threaten France with a mix of technical quality, physicality and tactical nous under the guidance of coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who masterminded Morocco’s shock victory in the under-20 World Cup last year. The winner will advance to a semi-final showdown against the victor of Friday’s tie in Los Angeles between European champions Spain and Belgium. The Spaniards eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the last 16 on Monday to advance with a clinical 1-0 victory. While La Roja haven’t hit the dizzying attacking heights of France, they will fancy their chances of navigating a Belgium side who have slowly built momentum over the course of the tournament. Belgium struggled through the group phase with lacklustre draws in their first two matches before routing New Zealand 5-1 to secure their place in the knockout rounds. They came back from the dead in the last 32 to beat Senegal 3-2, when they had trailed 2-0 with four minutes to go, before dismantling the United States 4-1 with arguably their best display of the tournament in Seattle on Monday. – Houdini act – On the other side of the draw, holders Argentina face Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday after staggering into the quarter-finals. The South Americans, aiming to become the first back-to-back champions since Brazil in 1962, were given an almighty scare by Cape Verde in the last 32 before winning 3-2 in extra-time. On Tuesday, Messi inspired an incredible Houdini act in a jaw-dropping 3-2 defeat of Egypt in Atlanta, when the reigning champions recovered from 2-0 down with 11 minutes of normal time remaining to snatch victory. Messi was reduced to tears of relief after that roller coaster victory. “We wanted to stay in the tournament,” the Argentina captain said afterwards. “We didn’t want today to be the end, we didn’t want to go home.” The winner of Argentina-Switzerland will face either Norway or England in the semi-finals in Atlanta next week. England advanced to the last eight on Sunday with a pulsating 3-2 defeat of Mexico in the Azteca Stadium, winning an extraordinary, drama-filled contest which has given the Three Lions renewed belief in their bid to win a first major title since 1966. England’s talismanic midfield star Jude Bellingham says the victory reinforced his belief that the Three Lions can claim the ultimate prize — and wants his team-mates to feel the same. “I’m convinced of it and I hope that a win like this can give them that same “I’m convinced of it and I hope that a win like this can give them that same conviction that they’re top players and we shouldn’t fear anyone,” Bellingham said. Blocking England’s path is a formidable Norway side spearheaded by the irrepressible Haaland, who scored both goals in Sunday’s last 16 win over Brazil. “We have to study England but obviously we have seen them in their previous games in the tournament and they will be a very strong opponent, but hopefully it will be a very even and tight game,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said. AFP