PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 YOUNG MAN DIES HOURS AFTER HIS WEDDING IN BENUE  A young man died hours after his wedding at Ochingini Adiko in Obi Local Government Area of Benue State.  According to one Igor Daniel Adole, the deceased got married on Sunday evening, June 16, 2024,  and he was found dead on Monday morning, June 17.  It was gathered that he was hale and hearty before his untimely death. 

 POLICE ARREST MAN FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER Operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) yesterday night arrested one suspect for using a hammer to inflict serious injury to the head of a 65 years old man around Pako Bus Stop, Iyana Ipaja. The suspect, Sodiq Ishola, 29 years old, was arrested around 8:30 p.m Monday at Iyana Ipaja area after he was restrained and arrested from inflicting further injuries to the head of his victim (name withheld). Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the suspect and one accomplice trailed the victim and his wife from Lagos Island on bike to Iyana Ipaja before Ishola descended on him. He had inflicted severe injuries to the head of his victim before RRS operatives on patrol arrested him. The victim was rushed to the hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment while the suspect was transferred to RRS Headquaters in Alausa, Ikeja. The Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), CSP Yinka Egbeyemi  has directed that the suspect be trans...

 Video outbursts: Uchegbulam pleads for caution over sanction against Osimhen Respected football administrator Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam believes the unfortunate petulant posturing of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in a video rant against coach Finidi George should be treated with utmost caution and candour. Over the weekend, Osimhen openly disrespected the former national team coach, claiming Finidi, at a meeting between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh, insinuated he feigned injury to miss the Super Eagles’ last two ill-fated 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic. While many feel strongly that Osimhen’s recalcitrant behaviour must be met with stiffer sanctions, Uchegbulam, a former Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said Nigeria cannot afford to ‘throw away the baby with the dirty water’, adding that those in charge of the matter must apply wisdom. “To start with, Osi...

 KWARA DOCTORS SEEK RECRUITMENT OF MORE PERSONNEL  The Association of Resident Doctors, General Hospital Ilorin, in Kwara State, has appealed to Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq to recruit more medical personnel for the facility. The association made the call on Tuesday in a Sallah message sent to the governor. The Resident Doctors, in the statement jointly signed by the President and Secretary of the association, Dr Usman Abubakar and Dr Audu Charles, respectively, drew the attention of the governor to the shortage of medical personnel in the hospital, saying that “there is an acute shortage of medical staff in the hospital, which has hindered services rendered in some departments of the hospital.” It said, “Since the General Hospital, Ilorin is now a Teaching Hospital, it has become pertinent to address germane issues which will help the Teaching Hospital take off successfully and allow it to have smooth operations for the benefit of all in Kwara.” The doctors, however, congra...

 Soldier commits suicide at army camp in Abia A senior non-commissioned officer serving under the 14 Brigade Headquarters, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barrack in Ohafia, Abia State, has reportedly committed suicide. The soldier, identified as Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Vitalis, an indigene of Okpuala in Ngor-Okpuala, Imo State, was attached to the 144 Battalion’s Forward Operation Base (FOB) located at Ngwa High School, Abayi, Osisioma local government area. He tragically shot himself in front of the FOB gate. The reasons behind CSM Vitalis’s decision to end his life remain unclear as no suicide note was found. Sources within the security agencies in the state have indicated that only a thorough investigation can reveal what prompted his actions, cautioning against any premature conclusions. Before his death, there were no reported cases of domestic violence or disciplinary actions against him by the army authorities at either the Battalion or the 14 Brigade Headquarters. Colleagues ...

 Arizona woman facing felony charges after leaving her 4-year-old daughter in a hot car while she shopped on a 110 degree day. Nicole Yazzie is being charged with felony child abuse after bystanders noticed her 4-year-old daughter locked in a sweltering hot car while her mother shopped for clothing. As officers arrived on scene, Yazzie came out of the store and unlocked the rear door of the vehicle giving first responders access to her daughter. Officers reported the temperature inside of the car as around 129 degrees. They say the young child was pale and disoriented and had urinated in her pants. She was immediately given water and medical treatment before being put inside of an air-conditioned police cruiser where she seemed to fully recover. Nicole Yazzie told officers she knew it was wrong but her daughter didn't want to go inside of the store. She added she locked the doors and took the keys because she didn't want the young child to drive away. She was booked into jail a...

 UNIBEN graduate ‘beaten, raped to death’ in Edo   A female student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) identified as Adekolore Idowu Glory has been reportedly raped to death. Glory, 22, a recent graduate of the university, was said to have been beaten and raped to death at Iyowa Community, Benin City on June 13. In an X post, a user who identified as Glory’s brother said unknown men attacked her while she was on her way back home from school. Glory, who graduated in April this year, was said to have been processing her clearance when she was killed. Her body was reportedly left close to her house. The user also called on the police to unravel the mystery surrounding her death. “Justice for my younger sister Adekolure Idowu Glory, who was rape and killed in lyowa Community Benin Edo state on her way back from school(Uniben) she went for her clearance and her corpse drop close to her mother’s house,” the post reads. “Help us seek for justice for my kid sister that just graduate...

FUOYE student arrested for alleged rape of male colleague A 400-level student at Federal University Oye Ekiti in Ekiti State has been arrested by police for allegedly raping a male colleague. A viral video on Tuesday shows the accused being taken away by police amidst a crowd. The National Association of Ondo State Students and the FUOYE Student Union have issued statements distancing themselves from the accused, clarifying that he is not a member or affiliate of their organizations. Both statements emphasize their commitment to a safe and inclusive environment and promise to take necessary actions to ensure justice is served National Association of Ondo state students in a statement said, “We want to clarify that the individual Oni Olalekan popularly known as Asiwaju accused of sexual assault and who has publicly denounced our association on Monday 10th of June 2024, is not a member, an executive or appointee of our association. “We would like to clarify that this individual is not a ...

 Netanyahu urges Biden admin to renew weapons supply to Israel, says it’s ‘inconceivable’ US withheld aid Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged President Biden's administration to renew its plan to deliver weapons to Israel on Tuesday. Netanyahu's office released a statement Tuesday calling it "inconceivable" that the U.S. has been withholding military aid. The statement comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with top Israeli officials last week, including Netanyahu. The Biden administration has grown increasingly critical of Israel's handling of the war in Gaza. "When Secretary Blinken was recently here in Israel, we had a candid conversation, I said I deeply appreciated the support the U.S. has given Israel from the beginning of the war. But I also said something else, I said it's inconceivable that in the past few months, the administration has been withholding weapons and ammunitions to Israel," Netanyahu said. "Israel, ...

 Georgia dad freed after hot car seat death of son put him in prison for murder A father in Georgia who had a murder conviction overturned in the hot car death of his toddler son has been released from prison – nearly 10 years after he left the 22-month-old strapped in his car while he worked.  Justin Ross Harris was freed on Sunday — Father’s Day — from the Macon State Prison, Georgia Department of Corrections records show. Harris was found guilty in November 2016 on eight counts, including malice murder, after he left his 22-month-old son Cooper sitting for about seven hours in the back seat of his car while he worked at his office in suburban Atlanta. The case made global headlines since parents are rarely charged with murder in such cases, the majority of which are considered tragic accidents by forgetful parents or a breakdown in communication between them. Harris, who moved from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to the Atlanta area for work in 2012, told police he forgot to drop his ...

 My facecard never declines” – Mercy Aigbe responds as ex Lanre Gentry shades her Nollywood actress Mercy Aigbe Adeoti has responded to her ex-husband, Asiwaju Lanre Gentry, who shaded her for hiding their son from him. A few Minutes Ago We reported that Lanre Gentry subtly shaded Mercy Aigbe when he celebrated his son, Olajuwon Gentry’s 14th birthday on social media. He shared photos of his son and accused his ex of taking him away. However, he is satisfied that the boy is growing up to identify him as his father and can come to him for anything without his mother’s interference. In what seems to be a response to Lanre Gentry’s post, Mercy Aigbe shared jaw-dropping photos of herself donning a two-piece outfit. She taunted her ex by stating that she has a beauty that never declines. She wrote, “Running Errands And YES! My Facecard Never Declines!!!! If you doubt, check the last slides. See his post below. 

 Gunmen kill okada union official in Ekiti     The Ekiti state police command says a man was killed on Tuesday by two men riding on a commercial motorcycle, popularly known as okada in Ado-Ekiti. The middle-aged man, whose identity is yet to be known, was shot dead in broad daylight by unidentified gunmen around the popular Okesa roundabout in Ado-Ekiti. The deceased was said to have been shot moments after he asked to know if the gunmen had obtained their Okada union ticket for the day. The incident led people around the area to scamper for safety, as many hurriedly closed shops and offices for fear of reprisals by members of the Okada union. Witnesses said the victim was one of the officials of the union engaged in issuing tickets to commercial motorcyclists around the Okesa roundabout. They said the killers immediately sped off after killing the rider, adding that the body of the victim had been deposited at the morgue of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUT...

 French Court Strikes Down Ban of Israeli Companies at Arms Show A court ruled that France’s order to bar Israeli exhibitors from the Eurosatory arms show was discriminatory, as the French government’s criticism over the war in Gaza mounts. and security trade fair, in Villepinte, a northern suburb of Paris, June 17, 2024. (JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP) The Paris Commercial Court struck down on Tuesday restrictions requested by the French Defense Ministry on Israeli companies at the Eurosatory 2024 defense show. The order suspended “the execution of the measures adopted against the Israeli companies whose stands were prohibited at the EUROSATORY 2024 exhibition, until the closing date of the exhibition.” The French Defense Ministry last month ordered Coges Event to ban the Israeli defense industry from exhibiting at the show, saying that “the conditions are no longer right to host Israeli companies at the Paris show, given that the French president is calling for the cessation of IDF operat...

 Deadly Unrest Grips Rivers: Policeman, OSPAC member feared killed amid protests, tension Tensions have escalated in Rivers State following reports of violence resulting in the deaths of a policeman and a member of the Omuma Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC) in Omuma Local Government Area. The unrest comes amid widespread protests across all 23 local government areas of the state following the expiration of the three-year tenure of elected local government chairmen and ward councillors. Reports indicate that gunfire erupted at several locations including the Port Harcourt City LGA Council Secretariat, Obio/Akpor, Emohua, Eleme, and Khana LGAs, allegedly involving unidentified assailants. In Omuma LGA, the situation turned deadly as two individuals were reportedly gunned down during clashes at the council secretariat. According to a local source, the violence began when police personnel associated with a local politician allegedly fired shots at OSPAC members involved...

 Gov Fubara takes tough stance amid Rivers political crisis In response to escalating tensions and recent political developments in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has taken decisive action by convening a high-level security council meeting with heads of security agencies. The closed-door meeting, held at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, focused on devising strategies to address the reported incursions into local government secretariats across the state. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Governor Fubara underscored the gravity of the situation, particularly cautioning former council chairmen against clinging to expectations of reinstatement. He emphasized the need for adherence to due process and legal procedures in governance. Expressing concern over alleged plans to apprehend his supporters, Governor Fubara sounded a defiant tone, vowing personal protection for them. He unequivocally stated that any attempt to arrest his allies would necessitate f...

 ‘Do you want Tinubu dead?’ — Onanuga tackles Obi over comment on proprosed aircraft purchase Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has berated Peter Obi over his comments on the proposed purchase of a new presidential aircraft. Recently, the house of representatives committee on national security and intelligence asked the federal government to purchase new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima. The committee’s recommendation was contained in a report released after an investigation into the status of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet. On Monday, Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, faulted the proposal, saying it highlights the disconnect between the government and the people. Obi said the proposal is unacceptable, adding that there is need for a more compassionate use of resources and prioritising citizens’ welfare. Speaking with Punch, Onanuga said the purch...

 Refrigerating cooked food for more than three days dangerous – NAFDAC The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged Nigerians to refrain from storing cooked food in the refrigerator for more than three days. According to the agency, cooked food stored in the refrigerator for days is susceptible to contamination by disease-causing pathogens, key agents of foodborne diseases that can lead to death. Food safety incidents are situations where there is a potential or confirmed health risk associated with food consumption. A food incident can happen, for example, due to accidents, inadequate controls, food fraud, or natural events. NAFDAC Director General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye tasked all stakeholders in the food supply chain to take deliberate actions to institute a food safety culture in their operations to mitigate the food hazards and risks that could compromise food safety. The DG spoke at the 2024 World Food Safety Day with the theme: ‘Food Sa...

 Rivers crisis: Protesting youths pull down Wike’s statue in Obio-Akpor   The statue of ex-Governor Nyesom Wike was pulled down by youths The incident occurred in Obio-Akpor LGA, Rivers State The incident is linked to the ongoing local government leadership crisis Governor Fubara has directed HLGAs to take charge of the councils Protesting youths on Tuesday pulled down a statue of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in Obio-Akpor local government area of Rivers State. Wike, a former two-term governor of Rivers, was also Chairman of Obio-Akpor LGA from 1999 to 2007. A viral video sighted by this reporter on the X platform showed the youths numbering above 10 gathering around and castigating the minister. Addressing someone who appeared as the leader of the group, one of the youths can be heard saying in the Ikwerre language: “Presido, let’s remove this thing (effigy). Just give me order.” Several of the youths could be observed laying their hands on th...

 Five Persons Killed As Terrorists Attack Kajuru Communities  No fewer than five people were said to have been killed by terrorists who on Monday attacked Ewehko village Maro Ward, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The terrorists who attacked the village at 2pm opened fire on the victims who were attending a local meeting, killing four men and a woman and setting motorcycles ablaze. A resident of the village, Benjamin Maro, who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust said, “Another tragic incident occurred in our community today (Monday).  “In broad daylight, bandits launched a deadly assault on Ewehko, popularly known as Unguwar Paul, a village under Maro Ward in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. “The attack happened at approximately 2:14 pm on 17/06/2024. As of this report, the bodies of four men and one woman have been discovered. Search efforts are ongoing in the surrounding bushes for others who may still be missing.”  However, SaharaReport...

 18th June, 2024 PRESS RELEASE ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS AND RECOVERY OF ONE BARETTA PISTOL, ONE LOCALLY MADE CUT-TO-SIZE GUN AND CARTRIDGES, ARREST OF A SUSPECT IN POSSESSION OF ILLICIT DRUGS 1. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTIST/ARMED ROBBER AND RECOVERY OF ONE BARETTA PISTOL:  Acting on credible intelligence on the peddling of arms and an intended cult clash within Oteri community  in Ughelli North LGA of Delta State,  on 14/06/2024 at about 1430hrs operatives on special assignment deployed to Ughelli led ASP Julius Robinson trailed a notorious cultist and a mastermind of the intended cult clash  to a hotel (name withheld) in Ughelli and the suspect one  Felix Egbe 'm' aged 37yrs of Oteri Community in Ughelli North LGA Delta State and a member of Eiye confraternity also former Youth Secretary of Oteri Community Ughelli North Delta State was arrested. Upon interrogation, suspect took operatives to his residence where a Barretta  pistol was recovered...

  Protesting youths chase Rivers LG boss from council secretariat The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, Allwell Ihunda, escaped death narrowly as protesting youths chased him along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Tuesday. Ihunda, who is the outgoing Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, was on his way to the council secretariat with some aides and security details when the incident occurred. It was gathered that he had alighted from his vehicle and tried to make his way into the council but met a group of youths who occupied the entrance. Almost immediately, the youth started shouting, chasing him, the youths tried to get hold of Ibunda, who raced towards his car. But the security details attached to the Mayor, as he is fondly called, resisted the youths from getting hold of their principal, shooting into the air to disperse them. Ihunda jumped into a black SUV vehicle, escorted by aides and zoomed...

Justin Timberlake Is Charged With Drunken Driving in Sag Harbor Police in the Hamptons community gave few details about the arrest of the singer, who was once among the most prominent stars in American popular music.  ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE:  Justin Timberlake Arrested In New York For Driving Under Influence Pop star Justin Timberlake has been arrested in New York on charges related to driving while intoxicated, as per reports. Media reports stated that the singer was apprehended in Sag Harbor, an affluent village in the Hamptons, Long Island—a popular summer destination for celebrities. Timberlake, 43, who was set to embark on a global tour for his sixth album, ‘Everything I Thought It Was’, is expected to be formally charged shortly.  Justin Timberlake is a former member of boy band NSYNC. Timberlake has made a significant impact as an actor, songwriter, and one of the world's best-selling music artists.  This arrest comes just days before Timberlake was sched...

 Ezeigbo Lagos Picks form for Igweship, Faces 2 More Challenges By Juliana Nwachukwu It was  jubilation and carnival of a sort at Oba Civic Centre, Idemili South Local Government Area, as one of the four Igweship candidates,  Chief Godwin Njubigbo, Ezeigbo of Mainland Lagos, picked up Igweship form after winning Aborji village primary election.  He was accompanied by village relations, chiefs, music groups, and well-wishers, impressing Oba Patriotic Union executives led by Mr Anthony Uzor Ejiofor. Addressing the OPU executive, the PG of Aborji Village, Nze Nweke, said that they came in company of the Igweship hopeful, Njubigbo, to pick the Igweship form as demanded by the Oba community constitution and commended the OPU executive for her efforts to ensure production of Igwe Eze Okpoko the second (11) of Oba. In his response while presenting the form to the Aborji PG, on behalf of Chief Njubigbo, the OPU boss,Chief Ejiofor, expressed satisfaction with the large turn u...

 RAID ON AND DISLODGING OF SECESSIONIST GROUP IN THE STATE: POLICE - LED JOINT SECURITY FORCE ARREST FOUR SUSPECTS The Police -Led Joint Security Force in Aguata on 17/6/2024 intercepted four suspected ESN Militia in Ufuma, Orumba North, Anambra State. The arrest is following information received over time of planned attacks on security agents and innocent citizens by the dreaded group.  Among the four suspects arrested is one Maduabuchi Nwafor A K A Omenkpo ‘M’ aged 32 years a native of Ufuma. He has been identified as one of the native doctors who prepares criminal charms for the group and uses his shrine for initiation ceremonies and meeting points for the criminals. Also, one of the suspects' name withheld who is already assisting the police with information confessed to be one of the gunmen dispatched by the group to enforce illegal sit-at-home on May 30th, 2024. The Commissioner of Police *CP Nnaghe Obono Itam* orders investigations to be widened and deepened to identify...

 Amusan wins fourth straight national women’s 100m hurdles title World record holder Tobi Amusan secured her fourth national title in the women’s 100m hurdles at the national trials on Monday, finishing with an impressive time of 12.78 seconds.  The 27-year-old sprinter dominated the race, with Adaobi Tabugbo coming in second at 13.33 seconds and Faith Osamuyi taking third place at 13.36 seconds.  Amusan, from Ogun State, thrilled the fans in Benin with her hurdling prowess as she successfully defended her national title. This victory serves as a promising warm-up for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Former Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shuaibu Vows to Support APC Candidate ahead of State Gubernatorial Election  “I will support a homeboy. I came into politics to contest as the governor of Edo State because I need the government to return to homeboys – people who understand our plight, people who understand what the people are feeling—even the United Nations talks about the need for assessment. We don’t want outsiders, we have experimented with outsiders, and it’s not working. So, this time around, we want homeboy.” “Today, I came in as a homeboy. We have only two homeboys in the major political parties in Edo State. One is in labour, and one is in APC, and I choose to follow another homeboy in the APC. “The man they are parading in the PDP is an outsider, and we have also agreed that no more godfatherism in Edo. So, the man the PDP is trying to portray in Edo now is the godson of Obaseki, and there is no way godsons will now be governor of Edo,” Mr Shaibu said.

 Secret Service agent robbed at gunpoint during President Biden's trip to Southern California A Secret Service agent was robbed at gunpoint in California over the weekend, according to local law enforcement. It happened at the same time President Biden was in California for a star-studded Los Angeles fundraiser. On Saturday, June 15, just after 9:30 p.m., the Tustin Police Department said officers responded to a call about a possible robbery that happened at the Tustin Fields 1 residential community. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim was a member of the Secret Service and that his bag was stolen at gunpoint. During the incident, police said an agent-involved shooting happened. The suspect(s) were not found, and it is unknown at this time whether the suspect(s) was injured as a result of the incident, police said. Officers found some of the victim’s belongings in the area and the incident is being investigated. Police are looking for a 2004-2006 silver Infiniti FX35 or si...

 Wanted Florida man caught after phone rings while hiding in ceiling: deputies A wanted Florida man was taken into custody on Saturday after his phone tipped off deputies that he was hiding from them in the ceiling of a business, authorities said. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said 38-year-old Joshua Garrett was arrested and charged with resisting arrest and felony criminal mischief. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to a disturbance near US 98 North and Duff Road in Lakeland, Florida. When the deputies arrived, they were told the man causing the disturbance, later identified as Garrett, had left the business. After identifying the man as Garrett, deputies learned he was wanted for violating his probation, which he was given after being convicted of burglary, providing false information to a pawn broker and trafficking of stolen property. Deputies began searching for Garrett in the area and stopped by a business where he was employed. When they arrived, deput...

 Senator calls out Boeing, FAA after midflight panic, whistleblower suicide As the Federal Aviation Administration continues to scrutinize one of the country's leading aircraft manufacturers, Sen. Chuck Grassley is announcing a new probe into aerospace giant Boeing and the FAA itself due to concerns of safety hazards and lax oversight. "Boeing enjoys billions of taxpayer dollars every year, and thousands of Americans rely on Boeing aircrafts to get from Point A to B every day," the Iowa Republican told Fox News Digital. "By cutting corners or turning a blind eye to glaring problems, Boeing puts passengers’ safety at serious risk." Grassley pointed to what he called a "history of aircraft disasters" involving Boeing jets going back to the explosion of TWA Flight 800 in 1996 and including Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, where a Boeing 737 Max craft lost a door panel at 16,000 feet in January. Eight people suffered minor injuries. "Had this happened at ...

 ABDUCTION/MURDER INCIDENT WITHIN NNEWI AND NNOBI ENVIRONS: CP ITAM ORDERS MANHUNT OPERATION ON THE ASSAILANTS  _Vows to get justice on the heroic act of the murdered Vigilante Operative and others_ The Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam has ordered an immediate manhunt operation on the armed men Operating in a red Highlander jeep, who abducted a citizen in Nnewi by 1:30 pm yesterday 17/6/2024 and were trailed to Nnobi, where they engaged security operatives in a gun battle During the gun duel, one of the security Operatives was fatally hit by the bullet and due to the indiscriminate shootings by the hoodlums in an attempt to escape the scene, the bullet also fatally struck two innocent passersby in the area.  The Police Responding Team at the scene recovered the bodies of the victims and took them to the hospital but regrettably, three of the victims including a 22-year-old lady were confirmed dead by the doctors on duty while two others are currently receiving ...