PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 PRESS RELEASE EXTORTION: POLICE ARREST OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR N30M THEFT IN ABUJA As IGP Orders Commencement of Disciplinary Action Following the recent act of extortion by some officers of the Nigeria Police attached to the Special Tactical Squad in Abuja who extorted a member of the public of the sum of Thirty Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N30,300,000), which was brought to the notice of the Force via the X Platform, the Nigeria Police wishes to reveal and announce that significant progress has been made in apprehending the officers and their accomplices responsible for this unprofessional conduct as the squad who initially escaped upon commencement of investigations have been arrested and are currently in custody. The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, as part of his commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability within the Nigeria Police Force, has ordered the commencement of disciplinary proceedings ...

 Peter Obi, has condemned the “humiliating” arrest of the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure Obi, in a string of posts on X (formerly Twitter), described as “pinnacle of rascality”, the manner at which Abure was arrested in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Wednesday afternoon. Viral videos showed Abure being manhandled by policemen, even as LP supporters fought to prevent his arrest. The police had said Abure was arrested for attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and related offences. The LP chairman was later released on bail early Thursday after protests by LP members who stormed Zone 5 office in Edo. In his statement on social media, Obi said, “My stance on this matter remains unwavering but does not explain watching the distressing image of our National Chairman lying on the ground in the name of arrest. “This act is undesirable , demeaning and unequivocally intolerable and must be condemned by any decent and civilized mind within the context of our p...

 Storm forces Mauritius to ground all flights, shut schools Tropical Storm Eleanor bears in from the Indian ocean and is expected to reach over 120 km per hour when it hits the island. Mauritius grounded flights and shut schools as a tropical storm approached the Indian Ocean island on Thursday, the meteorological services said. Storm Eleanor was about 200 kilometres (125 miles) northeast of the nation at 4:00 am (0000 GMT) and was moving at a speed of 20 kilometres an hour, the weather service said. "The wind will initially blow from the south-east at a speed of around of around 40 km/h reaching 110 km/h by midday, strengthening to over 120 km/h," it said in a bulletin. The country's main international airport operator said the facility would close, with national carrier Air Mauritius cancelling flights scheduled for departure on Thursday morning.

 Anambra government not in support of any form of hooliganism in transport sector---Transport commissioner By Ngozi Nnajiofor The Commissioner for Transport, Anambra State, Mrs. Patricia Igwebuike has said that the State Government does not support any form of hooliganism in the transport sector. She made this comment while speaking to commercial bus drivers from Onitsha who were protesting multiple taxation by touts. The protesters, from Onitsha, Anambra State under the aegis of Egerten Drivers Association, Onitsha came in their numbers to the office of the commissioner at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka to show their displeasure on the multiple taxations. The commissioner adviced them to go back to their base, and to never take the law into their hands while promising that she would have a meeting with the Internal Revenue Board and other Stakeholders. She assured them that all the issues they raised would be taken to the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo. The leader of the Asso...

 EFCC, JTF Arrest 115 Suspected Currency Racketeers in Enugu   …. Recover N110m, $8,368 Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in conjunction with a Joint Task Force comprising  five teams from the Nigeria Police Force and three teams from the Nigeria Customs Service on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 arrested 115 (One hundred and fifteen) suspected currency racketeers in Enugu State.   The suspects comprising 113 (One hundred and thirteen) males and two  females were arrested  in a sting operation at Owerri Road, Ogui, Enugu State, following credible intelligence about some  bureau de change operators, currency speculators and street hawkers operating illegal foreign exchange markets in that environment.   Items recovered from them include:  N110, 700,000.00 (One Hundred and Ten Million, Seven Hundred Thousand  Naira) only,  $8,368.00 (Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty Eight United...

 NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS ( NSCDC ). LAGOS STATE COMMAND.  KESHINRO PROMISES TO REDUCE RESPONSE TIME TO CRIME, VISITS LAGOS STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND. "We appreciate the Lagos State Government for giving us operational logistics and gadgets through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund  coupled with what we receive from our National Headquarters in Abuja to do our job efficiently and effectively," Keshinro said. The State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), Lagos State Command, Mr Adedotun Keshinro has promised to reduce response time to crime in the state. The Lagos State Commandant posited that the deployment of trained mobile personnel to points, spots and other  strategic locations in the state will enhance safety,  security and the greater peace verily yearned for by the government and the people.  The Lagos State Commandant made the above known when he visited the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trus...

 RELEASE. SAFETY SIGNATURES LTD BOSS, DR CYNTHIA GREGG SHARES HINTS ON HOW TO ELIMINATE EMERGING SECURITY CHALLENGES. "As a partner in progress and patriotic beloved citizen of Nigeria, we will continue to support security agencies to give us their best in our own little way," Gregg said. The Chief Executive Officer/ Managing Director of one of the leading licensed private security guard company in the nation, Dr Cynthia Gregg, an enthusiast of good governance, security and safety has once again shared some very crucial hints with the media on how security agencies and the government can eliminate the emerging security threats bedeviling our dear country, Nigeria.  Dr Cynthia Gregg posited that the state of security of the nation is alarming and requires an urgent fix. She called for a new vista and suggested that there was need for us as a people to go back to the drawing board and critically look out for where we missed it in order to be able to solve the problems on ground...

 TROOPS  NEUTRALIZE  INSURGENTS KINGPINS, RECOVER ARMS, AMMUNITION IN ONGOING OFFENSIVE IN KADUNA STATE Troops of the Nigerian Army operating in 1 Division area of responsibility have in continuation with ongoing operations further neutralised insurgents and recovered more firearms and ammunition in encounters with insurgents in the general area of Igabi, Giwa and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas of Kaduna State. Troops in response to recent insurgents' attacks against civilians in Igabi and Giwa Local Governments projected ongoing operations to flush out the insurgents from these areas and bring succour to the people.  While on a fighting patrol along Maganda-Dausayi - Mugaba axis, troops came under fire from insurgents who  employed rustled herds of cattle as shields while they engaged the troops with direct fire. The insurgents whose number could not be ascertained fired several shots at the troops from the cover of the herds of livestock prompting immedia...

 NO CAUSE FOR PANIC OVER SUSPECTED OUTBREAK OF LASSA FEVER IN 44 NARHK The attention of the Nigerian Army has been dawn to public concern and apprehension resulting from a leaked correspondence by its medical experts over a suspected outbreak of what presents as Viral Hemorrhagic disease aka Lassa Fever, in one of its medical facilities in Kaduna State. While it is yet unclear what we are actually dealing with, the Nigerian Army wishes to confirm that there was indeed some suspicion of what presented as acute Viral Hemorrhagic disease in the Accident and Emergency unit of the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna (NARHK), which has resulted in the death of a couple of its medical staff serving in the hospital. In line with best practice in managing such a situation, contact tracing to what is believed to be the index case has been made to a non-military patient who was referred to 44 NARHK from a peripheral medical facility. The suspected index patient was managed but subsequ...

 MULTINATIONAL JOINT TASK FORCE INTENSIFIES OPERATIONS IN THE LAKE CHAD REGION The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has significantly stepped up its clearance operations within the Lake Chad basin, aiming to strengthen free movement and rejuvenate economic activities across the region. This initiative has led to an encouraging trend, with multiple terrorists surrendering and the interception of a major arms haul meant for insurgents’ use. From 10 to 20 February, all 4 Sectors of MNJTF recorded various successes which portrayed the surge in troop effectiveness through the surrender of terrorist elements, offensive operations and curbing of arms smuggling. Consequently, troops of Sector 1 MNJTF in Mora, Cameroon, triumphed in a notable engagement at the locality of Soueram. This offensive resulted in the neutralization of 2 Boko Haram terrorists and the seizure of 92 linked ammunition belts, enhancing the safety of the area and disrupting the terror group's supply lines.  ...

 Police Blocks Anti-Hunger Protest in Jigawa The Nigeria Police Force has foiled and blocked a public peaceful demonstration against hunger, social and economic difficulties organized by civil societies, political groups and some members of public in Jigawa state. Radio Nigeria Correspondent reports that hundreds of anti-riot police squad were stationed at various strategic locations around Dutse, the state capital to block the protest from taken place. According to the Public Relations Officer of the state Police command, DSP Shi'isu Lawal Adam, police saw the announcement of the protest on social media and going by the public comments there is tendency to have total breakdown of public peace and order if allowed. He said, an intelligence gathering has proved that, some miscreants have planned to hijacked the demonstration, therefore as a proactive measures police urged the organizers to suspend the protest. When contacted, one of the organizers, the Chairman Sawaba Initiative for...

 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna Closes Accident, Emergency Department The Accident And Emergency Department of the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna has been closed for thorough disinfection process, following the loss of three members of staff and a patient, with some in critical condition in the last forty-eight hours. The victims are suspected to have died from acute hemorrhagic fever, following the management of a patient with febrile illness, thought to have been the index patient with the disease ten days ago, who also died from the suspected disease condition. In a circular addressed to various military health facilities by the acting corps commander medicals of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Okoigi says samples have been taken from suspected contacts, the deceased, and sent to the NCDC laboratory in Kano State for analysis. The circular explains that strict disease infection prevention and control measures have been put in place, and an anti-viral in...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU TO ECOWAS JUDGES: INTEGROUS AND ACCOUNTABLE JUDICIAL SYSTEMS WILL STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY IN WEST AFRICA President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment as the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to advancing judicial reforms with determined support, emphasizing that integrous and accountable judicial systems will strengthen democracy across West Africa The President made these remarks at a meeting with a delegation from the ECOWAS Judicial Council led by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the Council, at the State House in Abuja, on Thursday. ''We are committed to transformative democracy because we believe the judiciary can protect democracy. ''We are ready to support you as learned minds who have the requisite experience and institutional memory to comprehensively reform our institutions. I assure you as Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Gover...

 Hardship: Shettima, Akpabio deceiving you, Nigerians are suffering – Primate Ayodele to Tinubu The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, on Thursday cautioned President Bola Tinubu against listening to Vice President Kashim Shettima and Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s statement describing the recent protests against hardship as sponsored. He informed Tinubu that Shettima and Akapbio are deceiving him because Nigerians are suffering and this informed their decision to storm the streets to express their grievances. In a statement signed by his spokesman, Oluwatosin Osho, Ayodele berated the duo for being insensitive with the feelings of Nigerians and reducing their grievances to mere political talks when the government is supposed to be catering for the needs of its citizens. He said: ‘’The country needs urgent action otherwise Nigeria will continue to experience difficulty. Tinubu should not mind those who are deceiving him, people are in pain and...

 FG stops export of cooking gas to reduce price The federal government on Thursday, February 23, announced that it has stopped the exportation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) also known as cooking gas, to reduce the scarcity and soaring price in the country. Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, broke the news to reports at the “Internal Stakeholders’ Workshop,” in Abuja. The theme of the workshop is “Harnessing Nigeria’s Proven Gas Reserves for Economic Growth and Development.” Asked what the government has done to control the rising cost of domestic gas, he said, the ministry is discussing constantly with critical stakeholders like the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and operators such as Mobil, Chevron, and Shell to address the issue. He explained that once there is a stoppage of the export of locally produced domestic gas, there will be more volume for the domestic market which will automatically reduce the price of the produc...

 Gunshots as hoodlums hijack trucks, steal food items in Niger State Gunshots as hoodlums hijack trucks, steal food items in Niger State Soldiers opened fire, on Thursday, when suspected hoodlums hijacked trailers loaded with foodstuff in the Suleja Area of Niger State. Alhassan Abdullahi, a witness, told our correspondent that many trailers coming from Abuja and heading for Kaduna were blocked by the hoodlums who burnt tyres on the road. He said many bags of food stuffs, especially rice, were stolen before soldiers arrived the scene. “It took intervention of soldiers who arrived the scene and started firing gun shots in the air to scare the hoodlums away. But even with that, many of them went away with bags of rice and cartons of spaghetti and other food items.” “We learnt commercial motorcycle riders are also planning a protest. They would have done it since yesterday but we didn’t know what stopped them,” he said. The development comes amid the nationwide hardship that has trigg...

 Asue Ighodalo wins Edo PDP guber primary Asue Ighodalo, a businessman, has won the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state. Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara and returning officer of the election, declared Ighodalo winner of the primary poll on Thursday.  Lawal said Ighodalo secured 577 votes to defeat other aspirants in the race. “I, therefore, declare Asuelimen Ighodalo the winner of this concluded primary today with a total vote of 577,” Lawal said “Therefore, I hereby return him elected as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the upcoming election in Edo State. My brother, congratulations.” Ighodalo was the preferred candidate of Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo. Earlier, Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo, won the parallel governorship primary organised at his residence. Bartholomew Moses, the returning officer, who announced Shaibu as the winner of the parallel primary election, said the deputy governor wo...

 Police release The Whistler journalist after 8 hours in detention Kasarachi Aniagolu, a journalist with the Whistler Newspaper in Abuja, has been released from police custody. Whistler Newspaper confirmed Aniagolu’s release in a statement issued on Thursday. The journalist was arrested on Wednesday by the anti-violence crime unit of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) while covering a raid on bureau de change (BDC) operators in the Wuse Zone 4 area of Abuja. She was arrested alongside 95 forex traders. In a statement announcing her release, the newspaper said Aniagolu was detained for about eight hours. “Thanks to the collective efforts of media outlets, human rights organizations, and concerned individuals who amplified the injustice of her arrest, Ms Aniagolu was released on Wednesday night after approximately 8 hours of illegal detention at the Anti-Violence Crime Unit of the Nigerian Police Force in Guzape, Abuja,” the statement reads. “While we acknowledge Ms Aniagolu’s freedom a...

 I have no regret campaigning for Tinubu, I will do it again – Actor Olaiya Igwe Veteran actor, Olaiya Igwe has reiterated his support for President Bola Tinubu, some days after he apologised to Nigerians. Olaiya, in an interview with Kola Olootu, set the record straight that his apology doesn’t mean he regreted campaigning for the president. He stated that if given another opportunity, he would still campaign and vote for him again. He said: “Some people are saying I regret campaigning for Tinubu. I do not regret campaigning for Tinubu, I will do it again if I have the opportunity.”

 Iyabo Ojo replies troll on ‘desperate’ tag over Pauloo Actress Iyabo Ojo has slammed an internet troll for tagging her desperate towards her partner- cum- music producer, Paul Okoye. The mother of two shared a beautiful loved-up art piece someone had made for them. Captioning the post, Iyabo Ojo professed love for Paulo as she wrote, “Forever is the deal @paulo2014.” However, a troll claimed the actress is desperate for Paulo as the latter rarely professes love to her on social media or reciprocates her gesture. The troll urged Iyabo Ojo to be cautious and take her relationship with Paulo slowly. The troll wrote: “This woman is so desperate eh, every time forever is the deal where by this man has never said this for once. Nne biko slow down ok. Na Igbo man you are dealing with o, na man suppose dey do all these obey wey you dey do, na wa o. Forever no, eternity ni “You can block urself for all I care or hide my comments, but I just tell you the truth anytime any day. No doubt I li...

 Why I will like to work with Falz – Eedris Abdulkareem Veteran singer Eedris Abdulkareem has said that he would love to collaborate with Falz amongst other new-generation artists.  The ‘Jaga Jaga’ crooner appeared in a recent episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast, where the co-host, Toun Cole, asked: “If he would love to work with any new generation artist.”  The veteran singer said: “I plan to collaborate with any new generation Nigerian artist that is conscious enough. Yes, Falz. “Falz is the only conscious artist in this new generation. Who else? If your music is not adding value, no matter how far it goes, I don’t give a damn, because the lifespan is three or four months. You will have to do another song to replace that one. But when the song is evergreen, it will always be evergreen.”

 Rhodes-Vivour’s running mate Oyefusi quits LP Lagos Deputy gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections Princess Islamiyat Abiodun Oyefusi has resigned from the party. This was contained in a letter titled: “Re: Resignation of membership from Labour Party” addressed to her ward chairman. She appreciated Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour for the political window as his running mate, noting that she can no longer see herself aligning with the current values of Labour Party as the time has come to move forward. Oyefusi said she looked forward to working with her supporters in the future towards achieving their dreams of freeing Lagos from one-party politics and creating a State that works for everyone. Parts of the letter read: “This letter is to hereby officially notify you of my resignation from Labour Party. “It has been a very interesting 10 months of my political career, I give thanks and glory to Almighty God for seeing me through in good health and with H...

 Davido fulfills pledge of N300m to orphanages across Nigeria Grammy-nominated singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido has fulfilled his pledge to donate N300 million to orphanages across Nigeria. The Nation reported on Tuesday, February 20, that the singer publicly announced his annual commitment to supporting orphanage homes through his foundation. He said the donation is his significant regular contribution to the country. However, a skeptic likened Davido’s gesture to a movie reference, suggesting it was merely for publicity. He wrote: “This dude reminds me of that movie….”She Must Be Obeyed”. Oju Aiye Sha”. Davido promptly responded by sharing screenshots of the credit alert to his foundation’s account, which would facilitate the distribution of the funds to orphanages. He assured that further information regarding the donation would be provided soon. He wrote: “Foundation account credited. More details to follow soon.”

 Lagos arrests 110 squatters, demolishes shanties on Red Line Corridor The Lagos State Government says it has arrested 110 squatters in the early hours of Thursday during a lean-up operation of the Red line Corridor of Pen Cinema-Iju Ishaga area. Kunle Adesina, a Public Affairs Director in the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in a post on X on Thursday, said the 110 squatters would be charged to court immediately. He said the arrest was carried out by the Special Task Force on Environmental Offences led by CSP Sola Jejeloye. Adesina added that the exercise also included the removal of all shanties on the corridor which had been removed earlier but re-erected. According to him, the operation was directed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab following an inspection tour to the Redline Railway corridor last Sunday by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led executive members. He wrote: “A total of 110 squatters with questionable characte...