PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Bello Turji's Ally Eliminated in Sokoto Airstrike In a significant blow to notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji, his key ally Alhaji Shaudo Alku has been confirmed killed in an airstrike. The Air Component of Operation Fasan Yama conducted the strike on May 18, 2025 targeting terrorists near Tunfa Primary School in Isa LGA, Sokoto State. Alku, invited from Niger Republic for a meeting, died alongside several men and unconfirmed commanders. This development is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist operations in the region. Further details will follow.

 A Texas man has been arrested after a man that he hired to move furniture...discovered a dead body in the home. The panicked man attempted to flee; causing a dramatic scene. According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the 4000 block of Tim Allen Court at 11 a.m. on Friday May, 16th. There had been multiple calls made to 911 about a hit and run, however this was not your typical hit and run. The driver was still on scene and had an incredible story for deputies. The driver told deputies he had been hired by 36-year-old Steven Eberly to move furniture inside of Steven's  home. As he was working inside of the home, the driver told deputies he "saw a body of a deceased individual in a box he was instructed to move". The body was later identified as Luis Mendez.  The driver told police after seeing the body he panicked and fled the home. After running from the home the man got into Steven Eberly's truck and continued to attempt to flee the s...

 A Missouri community is outraged after a nonverbal 3-year-old is found deceased under questionable circumstances at a daycare. Conrad Ashcraft, just 3-years-old,  was discovered deceased two days ago at Poppy's Playhouse daycare in Park Hills, Missouri.  According to Conrad's family, the daycare called 911 on Friday (May 16th) after Conrad's mother discovered his lifeless body under a weighted blanket.  Shockingly, Conrad was allegedly left there alone on the cot for 5 hours after a worker held him down when Conrad did not want to take a nap. Conrad's aunt has stated on social media that the young boy did not want to take a nap; so an employee held Conrad down and forced him to "stay down" with their legs. After holding him down, Conrad was left for 5 hours until he was discovered by his mother when she came to pick him up. This has understandably traumatized Conrad's mom.  There is a Justice for Conrad page on Facebook where community members are voicing...

 ANAMBRA ASSEMBLY SPEAKER, UDEZE FELICITATES  With IGWE ACHEBE ON HIS 84TH BIRTHDAY By Chizoba Okeke  The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon.Somtochukwu Udeze has described the Traditional Ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe as one of the highly revered and erudite traditional rulers in Nigeria. In his goodwill message to Igwe Achebe as he marks his 84th birthday, Rt.Hon.Udeze noted that Igwe Achebe's training, candour, cognitive experience in public sector as well as deep knowledge of Igbo cultural heritage has distinguished him among his contemporaries, and also provided enough guide to his traditional affairs. The Speaker who extolled Igwe Achebe's contributions to the growth and development of the traditional institutions in the state and South-east Zone, enjoined other traditional rulers in Igbo land to emulate his passion and zeal for the advancement of the Igbo cultural heritage and his efforts to ensure a secure and unbiased Igbo nation. ...

 Chelsea Women Crush Manchester United 3-0 to Claim FA Cup and Complete Historic Treble Chelsea Women delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, securing a historic English domestic treble in coach Sonia Bompastor’s debut season. The triumph capped an unbeaten campaign for the “Invincibles,” who had already clinched the Women’s Super League and League Cup titles. French star Sandy Baltimore was the standout performer, scoring twice and providing an assist. She opened the scoring with a penalty in first-half stoppage time and sealed the win in the 91st minute, firing home after outmaneuvering United’s Lisa Naalsund. Baltimore also set up Catarina Macario’s header in the 84th minute, which effectively ended United’s hopes of a comeback. The victory marks Chelsea’s sixth consecutive Women’s Super League title and their first FA Cup triumph since 2023, denying last season’s winners, Manchester United, a repeat. Chelsea’s ...

 ANAMBRA POLICE FOILS A KIDNAPPING ATTEMPT: RECOVERS VICTIM'S VEHICLE AT ISUANIOCHA AND ALREADY WORKING ON VICTIM'S DEBRIEF FOR POSSIBLE ARREST AND DISLODGING OF THE KIDNAPPING GANG Police Operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad Enugu-Ukwu in the evening of 17th May 2025 foiled a kidnapping attempt and recovered the victim's vehicle at Isuaniocha. The kidnapping gang of five operating in a black coloured Toyota Corolla doublecrossed the victim at Amatu village, Agulu and abducted him with his black Lexus 350 SUV before the Police were alerted. The operatives in technology-driven manhunt on the criminals made them to abandon the victim and the vehicle on the road at Isuaniocha and fled. The victim has been debriefed and in safe custody.  To this end, the Operatives are currently working on the necessary information available to dislodge the kidnapping gang and have stepped up security surveillance in the area for possible arrest of the suspect and to nip in the...

 President Tinubu meets with Peter Obi,  Fayemi at the Vatican President Bola Tinubu, Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential candidate, and former Ekiti governor Kayode Fayemi met at Pope Leo XIV's installation mass on Sunday in Rome. Fayemi sighted President Tinubu, where he sat with other leaders and asked Obi to follow him to pay homage to the Nigerian leader. Obi agreed. On getting to the President, Fayemi broke the ice between Obi and Tinubu. He said:  “Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.” President Tinubu, ever quick-witted, responded:  “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation”. The President’s response cracked up Obi, who agreed with the President.  Obi said:  “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation”. Peter Obi and Fayemi are staunch Catholics and Papal knights. One more photo below. 

 Police Seize Suspected Precious Minerals and Arrest 12 During Operation Vala Umgodi Police officers deployed under Operation Vala Umgodi arrested twelve suspects aged between 18 and 49 on Saturday, 17 May 2025. The arrests took place in the Giyani and Malamulele policing areas and were linked to illegal mining, possession of suspected precious minerals, and immigration law violations. In Mavalani Village under the Giyani policing area, a 41-year-old man was arrested at an illegal mining site. Police seized a shovel, headlamp, and a bag containing suspected precious minerals. In a separate incident, eleven more suspects were arrested during stop and search operations in Giyani and Malamulele. They were found without valid passports. All suspects are expected to appear in their respective Magistrate’s Courts soon. More photos below. 

 Police Intercept Suspected Stolen Car Headed to Zimbabwe Limpopo – A suspected stolen vehicle believed to be on its way to Zimbabwe was intercepted by police on Friday, 16 May 2025. Members of the Provincial Flying Squad were on patrol when they received a tip-off about a grey Toyota Cross SUV that had been reported stolen earlier this month in Pretoria Central, Gauteng. The vehicle was seen speeding on the N1 South near Polokwane. Police gave chase after the driver refused to stop. The car was finally intercepted at the Nirvana traffic lights. Upon searching the vehicle, police found a damaged tracking device that had been removed. The 31-year-old driver failed to provide proof of ownership and was immediately arrested for possession of a suspected stolen vehicle. He is expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 May 2025. More photos below. 

 Kenyan opposition lawyer Martha Karua faces deportation from Tanzania Martha Karua, a presidential candidate who also represents opposition figures on trial in neighbouring countries, was arrested in Tanzania on Sunday, a spokesperson told AFP. Karua said on X network later Sunday that she was "awaiting deportation after retrieving our bags." Karua has been representing Tanzanian opposition leader Tindu Lissu, who is on trial for treason and faces a possible death penalty. Lissu is due in court on Monday. 'Democratic backsliding' The trial comes as Tanzania prepares for elections in October. Karua "was detained at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, questioned for three hours, her passport was confiscated and she is awaiting deportation", the spokesperson said. A former justice minister in Kenya, Karua has been vocal about "democratic backsliding" in the East Africa region. She has also been representing Ugandan opposition l...

 Kwankwaso denies defection rumours, disowns viral statement attributed to him The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has strongly denied rumours linking him to a possible defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the reports as false, misleading, and politically motivated. In a statement shared via his verified X handle, @KwankwasoRM, the former Kano State governor dissociated himself from a trending message claiming he had reached an agreement to return to the APC or join any other political party. Kwankwaso said the claims were “products of political mischief” and insisted he has not made any official comment on current political alignments. “My attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly stating my position on the recurring political realignments. I wish to categorically state that such statements are false, unfounded, and products of political mischief,” he stated. “I have refrai...

 2025 UTME: Software glitch, not Oloyede, to blame for poor performance — Ilaro Poly Rector The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Dr. Mukail Akinde, has attributed the low performance of candidates in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to software malfunctions, not the fault of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede. Speaking with reporters in his office over the weekend, Akinde emphasised that no human-made technology is flawless.  He urged Nigerians to acknowledge the inevitability of Computer-Based Tests (CBT), noting that such systems are susceptible to occasional technical issues. The rector commended Professor Oloyede’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s education system and eliminate long-standing examination malpractices. He added that while the percentage of candidates scoring between 160 and 199 (50.29%) might appear high, it is not unusual and should be viewed in context. According to Akinde, the ...

 Abducted Ondo APC chairman killed in kidnappers’ den Abducted chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 5, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, Mr Nelson Adepoyigi, has reportedly died in the hands of his abductors. Adepoyigi was kidnapped by some gunmen at his residence along Ifon-Owo road , in Ifon, the headquarters of the local government, on Monday at the entrance of his farm . The bandits were said to have contacted the family, demanding a sum of N100 million ransom for his release, which was later reduced to 30 million. But the family was only able to raise N5 million. The matter took another twist when the bandits, who were not pleased with the amount offered, detained the two men who took the money to them along with the APC chairman. However the hoodlums reportedly on Friday shot the APC chieftain dead and freed the two other victims. The chairman of Ose Local Government Mr Clement Ojo confirmed the death of the party chieftain in a statement sighted by ...

 47-year-old arrested for impregnating minor in Ogun Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 47-year-old man, Muraino Lasisi, for allegedly defiling and impregnating a 14-year-old girl in Abeokuta.Nigeria: Nigerian fashion The command’s spokesperson, Mr Dyke Ogbonnaya, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Saturday. According to Ogbonnaya, the suspect was apprehended by officers of the corps at the Oke-Sokori area of the state capital following a tip-off from a concerned neighbour. He said officers of NSCDC arrested the suspect where he allegedly committed the crime. “After his arrest and during interrogation, Lasisi made a confessional statement admitting to the offence,” Ogbonnaya said, adding that the suspect would face prosecution upon completion of investigation. “After a thorough investigation of the matter, the command made an application for the suspect to be remanded in the correctional service for 60 days pending l...

 Suspected child kidnapper arrested in Kwara The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected child kidnapper in the state capital, Ilorin. The command’s spokesperson, SP. Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Ilorin. According to the statement, the command is aware of a video circulating in the media space of a young man who was accused and apprehended for child kidnapping in Ilorin. “The command wishes to inform members of the public that on May 16, 2025, at about 1900hrs, operatives of the Kwara State Police Command apprehended an adult male (name unknown) allegedly for child kidnapping in Ilorin. “The suspect who claimed to be from Osun State was apprehended by a joint patrol team of police operatives and community vigilante members during a routine operation. “He was rescued from a violent mob who had accused him of attempted kidnap of a child and were on the verge of executing jungle justice,” the statement said. It adde...

 DSS threat: I am not afraid to die, says Pat Utomi The 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress and Chief Convener of the Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government, Pat Utomi, speaks with ISMAEEL UTHMAN on the controversies trailing the formation of his coalition and other national issues The Department of State Services has filed a suit against you on the formation of your shadow government? How will you react to that? There is nothing to react to. It is not funny that citizens are getting together to organise ourselves on how to hold governments accountable and provide alternative ideas on how to do things, and they decided that it is a matter for the DSS. It shows that there is a dearth of freedom. Have you responded to the suit? I have not received anything from them. How would I respond to something I have not received? Do you feel threatened by the DSS’s move? Why would I be threatened? If we die, we die. Apart from the DSS, the Federal Government and the AP...

 34,000 Nigerians secured US citizenship in three years – Report The United States granted citizenship to 34,289 Nigerians between 2020 and 2022, the latest Naturalisations Annual Flow Report from the US Department of Homeland Security shows. Compiled by the Office of Homeland Security Statistics, the report pulls its numbers from Form N-400—the application form every would-be American files. The data is also drawn from the electronic case files that US Citizenship and Immigration Services use to track each applicant from fingerprinting to the oath ceremony. Figures obtained by Sunday PUNCH indicated that 8,930 Nigerians became naturalised citizens between October 2019 and September 2020. That period included an 11-week COVID-19 shutdown—March 18 – June 4, 2020—that temporarily halted all oath ceremonies. The following year, 10,921 Nigerians obtained citizenship as USCIS worked through its pandemic backlog. In 2022, 14,438 Nigerians took the oath—an all-time high for the country an...

 Why I rejected Netflix’s ₦3 billion offer – Peller Nigerian TikTok streamer and content creator Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, has stirred reactions online after revealing he once rejected a whopping N3 billion offer from Netflix for his girlfriend, Jarvis, to act in a kissing scene. Peller made the sensational claim during a recent livestream chat with singer Peter Okoye of P-Square. “Netflix offered 3 billion Naira to my girlfriend, Jarvis, to do a kissing scene, but I turned it down,” Peller said. In disbelief, Peter asked for clarification: “Do you mean N3 million or N3 billion?” “Three billion!” Peller insisted. “I know you might not believe me, but I have the record of the video call. I warned them never to contemplate such ever again. I love my baby. I don’t joke with my baby. She is my life.” Peter responded supportively, saying, “Always look out for her.”

 Jealous Ex Kills Former Girlfriend Who Came to Invite Him to Her Wedding A middle-aged man identified as Ogbonna, popularly known as Mourinho, has allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend, Chisom Ayogu, at his residence in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. A report by Vanguard revealed the deceased, who hailed from Amufie community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, had visited Mourinho at his home on New Anglican Road, Nsukka, to inform him about her forthcoming marriage ceremony. The visit, however, took a tragic turn when a disagreement erupted, leading to Mourinho violently assaulting his ex-girlfriend for reasons yet to be ascertained. According to eyewitnesses, before help could arrive, Chisom Ayogu was already comatose. A resident of the area, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed that she was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead. The source also revealed that the suspect, Ogbonna, who hails from Igogoro community, also in Igbo-Ez...

 Trump says he will speak to Putin on the phone Monday President Donald Trump will speak on Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the Ukraine war, the US president announced. The announcement comes after representatives from Ukraine and Russia held face-to-face talks in Turkey on Friday. It was the first time the two countries held direct talks at any level in three years. Trump has previously said he doesn’t think there will be a significant breakthrough on peace talks until he and Putin speak directly. “I don’t believe anything is going to happen, whether you like it or not, until he and I get together,” Trump told reporters earlier this week. Trump says he plans to speak with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and various members of NATO after he talks with Putin. “HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE A PRODUCTIVE DAY, A CEASEFIRE WILL TAKE PLACE, AND THIS VERY VIOLENT WAR, A WAR THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED, WILL END,” Trump wrote Saturday. Ukraine, its allies in Europe a...

 Tornado-spawning storms leave 21 dead in two states and swaths of destruction across central US A violent, tornado-spawning storm system tore across the central US, leaving at least 21 people dead in Missouri and southeastern Kentucky as it cut a path of destruction through several states. The 14 deaths in Kentucky come on the heels of fatalities reported hours earlier on Friday in the St. Louis area, which endured widespread destruction. Seven people were reported dead in Missouri. In all, large tornadoes have been reported in Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana. The storms damaged homes and downed power lines across the Midwest and Great Lakes, brought by the same system that produced destructive storms and tornadoes Thursday. About 540,000 homes and businesses across a dozen states were without power as of midday Saturday, with Missouri, Kentucky and Michigan among the hardest hit, according to Poweroutage.us. It’s part of a multi-day spate of widespread severe weather tha...

 Pope warns against exploitation in inaugural mass at Vatican 18th May 2025 Pope Leo XIV set the tone for his papacy Sunday with a call to stop exploiting nature and marginalising the poor before an audience, including JD Vance and tens of thousands of pilgrims. Ten days after Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost became the first US head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, he celebrated his inaugural mass in St Peter’s Square. The 69-year-old began the day by making his debut tour in a popemobile, standing up in the custom-made white vehicle and smiling, waving, and blessing the cheering crowds at the Vatican. In front of dignitaries, including US Vice President Vance and Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky, he then gave a homily calling for the Church to be a transformational force in a world of division and hatred. “In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploit...

 Iran’s Khamenei Launches Blistering Attack on Trump Following Middle East Visit Tehran, Iran — May 18, 2025 —  Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei launched a fierce verbal assault on U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday, following Trump’s high-profile visit to key Middle Eastern allies earlier this week. In a televised address marking the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Khamenei accused Trump of destabilizing the region and reigniting tensions with Iran through what he described as “arrogant and provocative behavior.” Trump, who remains a polarizing figure in global politics and is campaigning for another presidential run, visited Israel and Saudi Arabia earlier this week. During his stops, he reaffirmed strong ties with both nations and sharply criticized Iran, calling it “the leading state sponsor of terror” and vowing to support regional efforts to counter Tehran’s influence. Responding to the remarks, Khamenei dismissed Trump’s statements as “delusional...

 Mogadishu suicide bomber kills at least 10 at army recruitment drive May 18, 2025 MOGADISHU, May 18   At least 10 people were killed on Sunday after a suicide bomber targeted a queue of young recruits registering at the Damanyo military base in the Somali capital Mogadishu, witnesses told reporters  Teenagers were lining up at the base's gate when the attacker detonated their explosives, they said. A military captain who gave his name as Suleiman described the attack as he had seen it unfold. "I was on the other side of the road. A speeding tuk-tuk stopped, a man alighted, ran into the queue, and then blew himself up. I saw 10 people dead, including recruits and passers-by. The death toll may rise," he said. Dozens of abandoned shoes and the remains of the suicide bomber were visible at the scene. Another witness, Abdisalan Mohamed, said he had seen "hundreds of teenagers at the gate as we passed by in a bus". "Abruptly, a deafening blast occurred, and the...

 Ex-President Buhari Distanced Himself From APC, Refused Attending Northwest Stakeholders’ Meeting Despite Residing In Kaduna – Senator Lawal Adamu Raises Alarm Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, who represents Kaduna Central, has claimed that former President Muhammadu Buhari deliberately distanced himself from the All Progressives Congress (APC) by refusing to attend the party’s Northwest stakeholders’ meeting held recently in Kaduna. Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Senator Usman noted that despite Buhari being in Kaduna at the time, he chose not to participate in the event. “He was at home performing Nafila prayers while leaders of the APC gathered in the same city,” the Senator stated. The APC’s Northwest meeting was a major political gathering intended to address key regional issues and strengthen internal party unity.  Senator Usman’s comments have sparked fresh debates about the former president’s current relationship with the ruling party he helped bring to power....