PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

      The Taraba Police Command on Friday said men of the command attached to Bali division killed eight suspected kidnappers in a gun battle. The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP David Misal, said the operation followed an intelligence report about the kidnappers’ activities. He said, “Reliable intelligence indicated that a group of kidnappers armed with sophisticated weapons had concluded plans to kidnap some residen ts of Bali town. “On receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised his men and swung into action. “During a surveillance patrol around Gazabu, they intercepted the kidnappers on their way to actualise their plans. On sighting the policemen, they opened fire on them which led to an exchange of fire. “Eight of the kidnappers were badly wounded and later confirmed dead by a medical doctor.” Misal said two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, two single barrel guns, 44 rounds of live ammunition, four cartridges, four handsets, ...

     Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu attains one year in Office on May 29, 2020. To commemorate the event, a number of programmes have been slated, starting with an address by Mr. Governor. During the week-long ceremonies, Mr. Governor will embark on virtual and on-site commissioning of Housing, Education, Transportation and Road projects in fulfilment of his promises to renew infrastructure in critical sectors of the economy. He will visit Ikorodu to commission the 360 units Lagos Homes Igbogbo Baiyeku IIB Estate. In Lekki, the Courtland Villas in Femi Okunnu Estate will also be launched to mark the first year anniversary of this administration. In the Education sector, Governor Sanwo-Olu will conduct virtual commissioning of completed classroom blocks in Maya Secondary School, Ikorodu; Eva Adelaja Junior School, Bariga; and Saviour Primary School, Ifako-Ijaiye, among others. The virtual commissioning of completed works such as the Concrete Jetty in Baiyeku, Ikorodu...

     The Lagos State Government has announced the partial closure of Marine Beach Bridge by Total Gas, inwards Apapa for five months, effective from Wednesday 27th May, to Wednesday 21st October, 2020, for repair work towards providing a seamless transportation system across the metropolis. In a statement issued today, the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde said that the planned repairs on  the bridge by the Federal Ministry of Works is vital to the safety of the people of Lagos, especially motorists plying the route to access different parts of the State. He explained that necessary repair works have already been carried out on all alternative routes around the construction site, making them motorable to ease motorists’ movement during the construction period. Oladeinde averred that the exercise, which will entail bearing and expansion joint replacement is planned for two phases, with each phase focusing on one lane of the Bri...

      Onitsha-Asaba Bridge was closed this morning, in conjunction with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Delta state, and Governor Obiano of Anambra state. They said covid19 is real, and also to curb the smuggling of people into the state. The Anambra State Government has dismissed the alleged construction of concrete slabs at the Niger Bridge (Onitsha Bridge). Disclosing this in a statement signed by the Personal Assistant to the Commissioner for Transport, Okoro Benedict, the state said what was barricaded was the two pedestrian walkways to ensure proper identification by security personnel. The statement reads, “The attention of the Ministry of Transport, Anambra State has been drawn to a piece of misleading and mischievous information contained in the picture, currently trending on the social media and other online platforms.” “The purveyors of the falsehood in their haste to misinform the public, and discredit the administration of Governor Willie Obiano, claim that the ...

      As Muslims in Benue State join the rest of the world to mark this year’s Eid-el-Fitr, Governor Samuel Ortom urges them to continue to observe COVID-19 protocol to prevent the spread of the disease. The Governor implores the Muslim faithful and other Benue people to adhere to preventive measures such as social distancing, wearing of face masks, the use of alcohol based sanitizers and hand washing with soap. He commends the people of the state for the impressive level of compliance with the measures taken by his administration to curb the virus. Governor Ortom felicitates with all Muslims for the successful completion of Ramadan fast, and admonishes them to promote the values of piety, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and justice, as Prophet Muhammad exemplified. He acknowledges and appreciates the prayers made by the Muslim community and all other religious groups any time the state is confronted by challenges. The Governor assures Benue people that with t...

      In continuation with the war on terror, the well motivated and gallant troops of 7 Division and Sector 1 Operation LAFIYA DOLE (OPLD) have continued to effectively stage ambushes and other successful offensive operations against the BH and ISWAP Terrorists within the Sector's Area of Responsibility (AOR). This laudable effort has been reflected in several successful ambushes and fighting patrols conducted by units within the Sector's AOR in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff(COAS)for all Sectors to dominate and maintain aggressive offensive posture against the terrorists in the ongoing Operation KANTANA JIMLAN. In compliance with the order, on the 11th of May 2020, troops of Army Super Camps 6 and 7 led by the Commanding officer of 222 Battalion Konduga conducted series of long range fighting patrols on identified and suspected terrorists' hideouts along Adzunge and adjoining localities. No contact was made as the terrorists fled the villages on...

     ZAMFARA STATE GOVT HOUSE The attention of Zamfara state Government House is drawn to stories carried on many media platforms of the sum of of N2. 9 billion spent on the provision of Ramadan palliatives in the state. The information rightly emanate from the speech read by His Excellency, Governor Bello Mohammed (Matawallen Maradun) in a statewide broadcast to mark the end of the fasting period to wish all Muslims a stress free Sallah celebration. Indeed, the Governor made mention of the said figures as palliatives cost during the period in question, but a breakdown of how that figure was arrived at did not reflect in the speech which is drawing a lot of criticisms from the general public. Hence, the need for immediate clarification. The state Government actually spent the sum of N1,100, 000, 000 in the provision of foodstuff, purchase of cooking materials and ingredients and in the payment of cooks for the supply of food twice daily in all the selected...

     Photos: President Buhari and His Immediate Family observe the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations in State House on 24th May 2020.More photos below.

       Leicester City of England and Super Eagles of Nigeria star midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, has opened up on his experiences while growing up. Born and raised in Lagos, Ndidi, whose father was a soldier, said he had to battle through selling fruits on the streets of Lagos while navigating his father's ''hostility'' towards his football aspirations. According to the 23-year-old Ndidi, he had to help his mum sell fruits and food in order to sustain the family while he kept playing football and hoping for a breakthrough. Ndidi rose to prominence featuring for Nigeria at the 2013 Fifa U20 World Cup in Turkey before he was signed by Genk of Belgium, then in 2017 he joined Leicester city for £17m and he is now one of the first names on the team sheet for both club and country. Speaking to the Out of Home Podcast, Ndidi said... “Though we had some ups and downs and trying to meet up with some bills, I was always there for my mum,” “My mum was a food vendor an...

    We are all expecting a COVID-19 vaccine that could possibly end the pandemic that has killed more than 330,000 people. Now the first vaccine candidate from China has finished its phase-1 trial on humans, and the results have been put online for everyone to examine. The Lancet, a respected medical journal in the UK, published the results on Friday saying it is "safe" and "induces rapid immune response." The research injected the potential vaccine into 108 volunteers. They were divided into three groups, each taking a different dose of the vaccine. The vaccine, classified as "recombinant adenovirus type-5 vectored" (Ad5-nCoV), acts as a natural infection and is especially good at teaching the immune system how to fight the virus. During the next 28 days, no serious reactions were found, meaning the vaccine seemed to be tolerable by humans. Also, antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 started to surge two weeks after the injection and reached its pe...

      On behalf of the Government and people of Edo State, I felicitate with our Muslim faithful on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr after completion of the Ramadan fast, a major pillar of Islam. It is impressive that the Ramadan fast was observed most devotedly amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the relevant government regulations observed by the Muslim faithful in the state. The Holy month of Ramadan is an opportunity for our Muslim brothers and sisters to deepen their relationship  with Allah, promote a life of sacrifice, charity and love for one another. I urge all Muslims in Edo State to sustain these values even after the Holy month to build a prosperous and peaceful Edo State where everyone can actualise their dreams.

      My family and I celebrate with all Muslim faithful in Ogun State on the successful end of Ramadan, and we are very grateful to Almighty Allah (SWT) for guiding us all through the Holy Month, especially during this time of a raging pandemic. This is an unusual time that disallows the traditional merrymaking that comes with the glorious end of the Ramadan Fast, so I urge us all to celebrate at home without gathering in large numbers. I want us all, Nigerian Muslims and Christia ns, to be grateful to the Almighty that an increasing number of people are recovering from the virus. We should therefore continue to follow advisories on distancing, hand hygiene, face masks, lockdown, and travels. As we all celebrate at home, let's for the sake of all frontline workers who have sacrificed one way or another, pray to the Almighty to bring an end to this global health crisis. May we all live to witness many more years of Ramadan. Eid-el-Mubarak Prince Dapo Abiod...

      On the 21/5/2020 at about 6:30pm following intelligence report,Police operatives attached to the Command special Anti Robbery Squad(SARS) in collaboration with the local vigilante group arrested at Upper Iweka in Onitsha, Anambra State one Kosisochukwu Onyemerem 'm' aged 20 years and Emeka kalu 'm' aged 19 years respectively. Suspects were caught red handed while robbing innocent passersby of their belongings at upper iweka. On sighting the police operatives suspects engaged them in a shoot out and took to their heels when overpowered but they were pursued and arrested with the assistance of the local vigilante group in the area. Meanwhile,Exhibits recovered in their possessions includes two locally made revolver pistols,five .9mm live ammunition,three assorted phones allegedly snatched from the victims of the robbery operation, one driver's licence bearing the name Fidelis Offor, and cash sum of One hundred and twenty three thousand naira( #123, 000) of ...

      ANAMBRA STATE POLICE COMMAND DIARY: *ANOTHER BREAKTHROUGH BY THE ANAMBRA STATE COMMAND AS POLICE OPERATIVES SMASHED A ROBBERY AND CAR SNATCHING SYNDICATE* *Arrested three suspects and recovers two firearms,ammunition and a Toyota Highlander jeep allegedly snatched at gunpoint* It would be recalled that on the 23/3/2020 at about 8:20pm,a Toyota Highlander jeep with Registration number APP 49 FM and other valuables belonging to one Christopher Oraukwu 'm' aged 54 years were snatched at gunooint along Ekwulobia road Aguata. Following the report,police operatives attached to the Command Special Anti Robbery Squad(SARS) swung into action and had on the 23/5/2020 arrested the following suspects, (i) Chidi Ugoji 'm' aged 31years of Ukpo, Dunukofia LGA, (ii) Okoye Onyebuchi 'm' aged 34 years of Umunachi and, (iii) Onwe Chigozie 'm' aged 22years of Ikwo, Ebonyi State. Suspects were arrested at their hideouts in Achalla/ Nkpor area and have volun...

      President Muhammadu Buhari sends condolences to government and people of Rivers State over the passing of legal icon, author and Professor of Law, Justice Adolphus Godwin Karibi-Whyte. President Buhari prays that God will comfort all who mourn the legal colossus, especially his family, the academia, Nigerian Bar Association and Body of Benchers, friends and associates, commending his contributions to law and jurisprudence  in the country, and beyond, leaving a legacy of integrity and nationalism. President Buhari notes, with deep conviction, that the legal luminary used his knowledge, wisdom and experience in serving the nation he loved so much, working diligently as a scholar for many years, before transiting to the judiciary, and pursuing his passion of ensuring fairness through the Federal Revenue Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Nigeria. The President affirms that Justice Karibi-Whyte played many historic roles in growing Nigeria’s legal system...

      The Cosmopolitan Women’s Club of Lagos has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) as part of the Club’s contribution to the ongoing battle to contain the spread of Coronavirus pandemic in the State. The Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, while receiving the donated items on behalf of the Hospital, thanked the Association for recognisin g the importance of having health workers who are properly protected against the Coronavirus disease. He said the thoughtful gesture of the Club will ensure that all health providers at the facility are adequately protected while carrying out their sacred role of caring for the sick, stressing that despite the provision by the State Government, PPE for frontline workers is hardly enough. “We deeply appreciate the efforts of Corporate Bodies, Non-Profit Organisations, Groups and Individuals who are daily supporting the Government’s efforts i...

     The FRSC Rescue Team in Ota rescued a victim of a road traffic crash to the  State Hospital, Ota, Ogun State, in which two people unfortunately lost their lives . The crash occured by the Old Toll Gate at Ota along the Abeokuta - Lagos Expressway on Saturday 23 May, 2020 at about 1237 HRS. A total of  03 people comprising two Male Adults and 01 Female Adult were involved in the crash . Unfortunately the 02 Male Adults died while the 01 Female Adult was rescued for medical treatment at the State Hospital Ota The crash involved 03 vehicles . The first is a white coloured MACK Tanker with no registeration number . The second vehicle is a red coloured MACK TRUCK with registration number AAA448XJ The third vehicle is a HOWO Truck belonging to Dangote Cement Company with registration number GN7248-16 The suspected cause of the fatal crash is  Mechaniical deficiency caused by brake failure by the MACK TRUCK with registration number AAA448XJ,...