PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 M23 says hundreds of Burundi soldiers captured in latest Congo offensive The Rwanda-backed M23 group has captured hundreds of Burundian soldiers during its latest offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a rebel official said, as clashes continued despite a warning from the Trump administration. Last week M23 entered the strategic town of Uvira near the border with Burundi, less than a week after the presidents of Congo and Rwanda met in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump and affirmed their commitment to a peace deal known as the Washington Accords. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that Rwanda's actions in eastern Congo violated the Washington Accords and vowed to "take action to ensure promises made to the President are kept". Rwanda denies supporting M23 and has blamed Congolese and Burundian forces for the renewed fighting. A United Nations group of experts report published in July said Rwanda exercised command and control over t...

 "Enugu government has voted N10b for vehicle manufacturing programme that would see the state assemble vehicles" -Chris-Robert Ozongwu Enugu state Commissioner for budget and planning Chris-Robert Ozongwu has said that the government had voted N10b for vehicle manufacturing programme that would see the state assemble vehicles. 2,100 taxis are expected to be assembled for the administration’s youth empowerment scheme and the Distress Response Squad, DRS, the state’s special police unit. He also said that the government was confident that the 2026 budget would outperform the 2025 budget, adding that Governor Peter Mbah runs the state with a private sector mentality. He also said that the allocation of 51.1 per cent and 40.1 per cent of the total budget to the economic sector and social sector, respectively, underscored the administration’s commitment to private sector-driven economic growth and human development. "Human life is one of improvements. We achieved about 85 pe...

 Ogun CJ releases 287 inmates in 2025 Ogun State Chief Judge Modupe Dipeolu has freed 287 inmates across state correctional facilities this year to ease prison congestion and address prolonged pre-trial detention.  The releases are part of quarterly jail delivery exercises, with another review ongoing in Ilaro until December 23. Justice Dipeolu urged released inmates to embrace lawful living and called on the government to expand correctional infrastructure.

ASSUMPTION OF DUTY OF THE NEWLY POSTED POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (PPRO), BAUCHI STATE POLICE COMMAND The Bauchi State Police Command wishes to inform the general public, and respected stakeholders, that a new Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) has assumed duty at the Command Headquarters, Bauchi. The newly posted PPRO is Superintendent of Police (SP) Nafiu Habib, a seasoned and versatile police officer with over sixteen (16) years of professional experience in various operational, administrative, and strategic communication roles within the Nigeria Police Force. SP Nafiu Habib is an alumnus of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), where he earned a Master’s Degree in Conflict and Security Studies, and also holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Criminology and Security Studies from the National Open University of Nigeria. He completed the Cadet Inspector of Police Course 38/2009 at the prestigious Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano. He has served in different capacities across the c...

 Flash flood kill 41 in Morocco At least 41 people were killed in flash floods caused by heavy rainfall in Morocco on Sunday, authorities said on Monday. In the Atlantic coastal province of Safi, local authorities said in a statement that the death toll had risen to 37, with 14 injured people receiving treatment at local hospitals. In the southern province of Tinghir, four people were killed after their vehicle was swept away by strong currents and overturned into a river between the areas of Fezou and El Hafira, local news outlet Hibapress reported. The statement said the floods in Safi were caused by intense thunderstorms that occurred within about one hour. Dozens of homes and shops in the city of Safi were flooded, while vehicles were overturned or washed away by torrents. Roads were also damaged, leading to widespread traffic disruptions. Moroccan authorities warned that more rainfall is expected in the coming days. Schools in four provinces were closed on Monday, and large-sc...

 SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS PRESIDENT'S POWER TO DECLARE EMERGENCY RULE The  supreme court has affirmed the president's constitutional authority to declare a state of emergency in a state threatened by breakdown of law and order, including the power to temporarily suspend elected officials as an extraordinary measure to restore stability. The seven-man panel of justices of the apex court gave the order in a 6 to 1 split decision on a suit filed by Adamawa state and 10 others challenging president Bola Tinubu's march 18, 2025 declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state.  The declaration had led to the six-month suspension of the state's governor, deputy governor, and members of the house of assembly amid prolonged political crisis and security concerns. Although the court initially dismissed the suit on jurisdictional grounds, ruling that the plaintiffs failed to establish a sufficient cause of action invoking its original jurisdiction, it proceeded to address the substanti...

  SENATE MEETS EXECUTIVE ON MTEF - FSP  An interactive session is holding between the Senate committee on Finance and key ministries departments and agencies of government on the 2026-2028 medium term expenditure framework and fiscal strategy paper. The three year economic framework aligns with fiscal responsibility act. The minister of finance Wale Edun at the session   says funding is available for the 2024 capital, while 30 percent  of 2025 capital component is also available. He informed the committee that circulars have been issued across MDAs on federal governments revenue Optimisation program in 2026 which prioritizes automation and technology mandating all payments on digital platforms. One more photo below. 

 EFCC Arrests Man For Possession Of Counterfeit Notes The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is investigating Abubakar Salihu who was arrested while in possession of 305 pieces of $100 bills suspected to be counterfeit. Salihu was arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Patrol Team on Kaduna-Abuja Express Way on 4th December, 2025, and was handed over to the EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Directorate, on the 5th December, 2025 for further investigation.

 15/12/2025 PRESS BRIEFING BY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE DELTA STATE, CP ABANIWONDA S. OLUFEMI psc, ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF DELTA STATE POLICE COMMAND Gentlemen of the press, I welcome you to this briefing, convened to present an account of the operational achievements and progress recorded by the Delta State Police Command from January 2025 to date. As Commissioner of Police Delta State Police Command, I consider it my duty to brief the public on our performances and measures taken to safeguard life and property in the State. Within the period under review, the Command adopted a proactive, intelligence-driven and community-centred policing strategy, working with sister security agencies and community stakeholders (Vigilante, Anti-cult volunteers, PCRC, CSOs, traditional rulers, etc) to sustain targeted operations against criminal networks. Below are some of the command's key achievements recorded during the year; 1. ARREST OF TWO PRIME SUSPECTS IN THE MURDER OF RETIRED JUSTICE IFEOMA O...

Rob Reiner and his wife discovered dead in Los Angeles home  Director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found dead Sunday at their Los Angeles residence, law enforcement officials confirmed. Investigators believe the couple suffered stab wounds, and a family member is currently being questioned in connection with the case. Authorities described the deaths as an “apparent homicide” and launched an investigation through the Robbery Homicide Division. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical aid call shortly after 3:30 p.m., discovering the 78-year-old Reiner and 68-year-old Michele Reiner inside the home located in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood. The identities of the victims have been confirmed by officials, but further details about the circumstances remain under investigation. Rob Reiner was one of Hollywood’s most influential directors, known for classic films including This Is Spinal Tap, A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally, and The Princess Bri...

Australia to strengthen gun laws following Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack  Australian federal and state leaders announced Monday an immediate overhaul of the country’s gun laws following a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, which left at least 15 people dead. The move includes renegotiating the national firearms agreement, originally enacted after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which had effectively banned rapid-fire rifles. The attack occurred late Sunday as thousands gathered on Bondi Beach, including hundreds attending the “Chanukah by the Sea” festival, featuring food, activities, and a petting zoo. Authorities reported that at least 38 people, including two police officers, were hospitalized with injuries. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 and included a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi, and Holocaust survivors. Among those killed were Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an organizer of the Hanukkah event, an Israeli citizen, and a French national named Dan Elkayam. Pol...

 Kamala Harris signals potential bid for another White House run  Kamala Harris is signaling that she intends to keep her White House ambitions alive for 2028. This week, the former vice president made clear to potential Democratic rivals that she is taking steps to keep a future campaign viable, even as some party leaders and donors question her chances of winning. Despite concerns, Harris remains near the top of most early 2028 Democratic primary polls and maintains strong support among Black voters, a key constituency in Democratic primaries. Harris has ramped up her public presence in recent weeks. She expanded her book tour for "107 Days," recounting her brief 2024 presidential campaign, with upcoming stops in early 2026 in key primary states and cities with significant Black populations, including South Carolina, Detroit, Jackson, Memphis, and Montgomery. She also attended the Democratic National Committee’s winter meeting in Los Angeles with her husband, Doug Emhoff, m...

 Hong Kong convicts media tycoon Jimmy Lai in national security case A Hong Kong court on Monday morning convicted pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai of sedition and colluding with foreign forces in a high-profile national security trial. Lai, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily and a prominent critic of China’s ruling Communist Party, was first charged in 2020 after Beijing enacted a sweeping national security law following a year of pro-democracy protests in the city. Lai has been detained since 2020 and now faces the possibility of a life sentence after a three-judge panel found him guilty on both charges. The case has drawn international attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump stating he would do “everything” possible to help Lai and vowing to raise the issue during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. A U.S.-registered nonprofit, the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong, denounced the charges as “trumped-up” and called on the U.S. government to hold Hong...

 RocketLab launches Japanese communications satellite into orbit Rocket Lab successfully launched a technology demonstration satellite for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on Saturday. The mission marked the 77th flight of the Electron rocket, deploying JAXA’s Rapid Innovation Payload Demonstration Satellite 4, or RAISE 4, into a low-Earth orbit approximately 325 miles above the Earth, about 55 minutes after liftoff. The launch took place from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex in New Zealand at 10:09 p.m. EST. RAISE 4 carries eight payloads designed to test propulsion and communications systems, a drag sail to help deorbit the spacecraft, and several additional experimental technologies. Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck praised the mission, highlighting the precision and reliability delivered to one of the world’s leading space agencies and emphasizing its role in supporting the growth of Japan’s aerospace sector. The satellite had originally been scheduled to launch aboard Japan’s...

 BUA Cement Boss Rewards Loyalty with $20.6m Cash Gift to Staff Chairman of BUA Group and billionaire industrialist, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has stunned employees with a massive $20.6 million reward package for loyalty and dedication at BUA Cement. In the unprecedented gesture, 510 staff members received cash gifts. Five top employees walked away with $690,000 each, another five received $345,000 each, while others were rewarded with amounts ranging from $3,000 to $69,000. The reward, according to company insiders, recognises years of commitment, excellence, and contributions to BUA Cement’s growth into one of Africa’s leading cement producers. Rabiu’s move has been widely praised as a bold statement on valuing workers, setting a new benchmark for corporate reward culture in Nigeria. At BUA Cement, loyalty clearly pays — big time.

  FRSC Moves to Prosecute TikToker Peller After Crash The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced plans to prosecute popular TikToker Peller following a road crash linked to reckless driving. According to the FRSC, investigations revealed violations of traffic regulations, prompting legal action to serve as a deterrent to others — especially social media influencers who flout road safety rules for content. The agency warned that fame offers no immunity, stressing that dangerous stunts on public roads put lives at risk. The message is clear: road safety is not content — and the law will take its course.

 Kwara govt denies links to bandits, faults viral video claims The Kwara State Government has dismissed a viral video alleging that officials supplied arms and a vehicle to bandits, describing the claims as false and misleading. In a statement on Sunday, Commissioner for Communications Bola Olukoju said no bandits were arrested in Ifelodun LGA by the Nigerian Army or any security agency. She added that the suspects in the video were reportedly arrested in Auchi, Edo State, not Kwara. The government also clarified that the vehicle referenced was a security van earlier assigned to vigilantes in Ifelodun and not linked to any criminal activity, stressing that no state government has the authority to supply weapons to individuals.

 Petrol price to drop to ₦739 from Tuesday — Dangote Founder and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has announced that petrol prices will drop to ₦739 per litre nationwide, beginning Tuesday, with initial implementation at MRS stations in Lagos. Dangote, at a press briefing at the Lekki Refinery on Sunday, said the refinery had reduced its gantry price from ₦828 to ₦699 per litre two days earlier. He assured that the ₦739 per litre price would be enforced and emphasised his commitment to fight price manipulation. “Starting from Tuesday, MRS will start selling petrol at N739/litre. Definitely, we will enforce that low price. We will make sure that it’s implemented. If you have your truck, you can come here and buy it. We are selling at N699. The N699 includes the percentage of NMDPRA. So what actually comes out to us is about N389 or so. “Those who want to keep the price to sabotage the government, we will fight as much as we can to make sure that these prices are down. N970...

 Shettima, Gen Musa in Lagos for COAS conference Vice President Kashim Shettima is in Lagos State for the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2025. Shettima was received by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other top government officials on Monday. The Minister of Defence, General Christoper Musa (retd.), and the service chiefs are also on the ground. The conference has as its theme, ‘Examining the Current Landscape of Terrorism Through the Lenses of Diplomatic and Military Action Strategy for Long-term Prevention and Stabilisation’. The event is also expected to feature the unveiling of the book, ‘A Life of Service,’ in honour of the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, LT Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. One more photo below. 

 Makhuva Sangoma Shot Dead in Ka Nwakhuwani Village  An 80-year-old elderly man, known in the community as a traditional healer (sangoma), was shot and killed at Ka Nwakhuwani village outside Giyani.  The incident occurred on Saturday night, 13 December 2025. The deceased originally resided in Makhuva village but later relocated due to past community tensions.  About ten years ago, a young man in Makhuva village died after being struck by lightning, and some community members accused the sangoma of being responsible. Following the accusations, he left Makhuva village and settled in Ka Nwakhuwani.  On the night of the incident, an unknown man visited the victim’s home, claiming to be a police sergeant. The victim reportedly came out of his house to attend to the visitor. The suspect then allegedly shot the elderly man outside his yard. The victim was declared dead at the scene.  The motive for the shooting remains unknown, and the suspect fled the scene. Pol...

 West African bloc rejects Guinea-Bissau's military transition plan West African bloc ECOWAS has rejected a transition programme announced by Guinea-Bissau’s military rulers and demanded a swift return to constitutional order, warning of targeted sanctions against those obstructing the process, Reuters reported. Army officers in Guinea-Bissau, branding themselves the Military High Command, toppled President Umaro Sissoco Embalo on November 26 and installed Major-General Horta Inta-A as interim president the following day. Guinea-Bissau’s coup is the ninth in West and Central Africa in five years, deepening concerns over democratic backsliding in a region already grappling with insecurity and political instability. Leaders at the Economic Community of West African States' annual summit in the Nigerian capital Abuja called for the immediate release of all political detainees, including opposition figures, and insisted on an inclusive short transition in Guinea-Bissau. "What ...

 58-year-old man beats wife to death in Imo Operatives of the Ahiazu Mbaise Divisional Headquarters have arrested one Vitalis Nwoko (58), of Umuagba, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, for the alleged murder of his wife, Uloma. The arrest followed a report lodged at the Division by the deceased’s sister, who alleged that the suspect violently assaulted his wife during a domestic dispute. Acting promptly on the report, operatives of the Division arrested the suspect. Confirming the arrest, the command’s spokesperson, SP Henry Okoye, said during preliminary investigation, the suspect stated that a misunderstanding between him and his wife on December 11th, 2025 escalated into a physical altercation, during which the victim collapsed. She was rushed to Cecilia Hospital, Ogbe, where she was confirmed de@d by a medical doctor. Okoye said the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Owerri, for thorough investigation and prosecution. The Commissioner of Police,...

 PHYSICAL PLANNING COMMISSIONER RAISES CONCERNS OVER FALSE ATTRIBUTION OF STATEMENT ON SECOND REFINERY FOR LAGOS The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, has raised concerns over a report by a section of the media in which he was wrongly credited with statements suggesting that Lagos State was set for a second private refinery following confirmed talks with new investors. The Commissioner clarified that he did not make such comments and did not at any time grant an interview or issue a statement relating to refinery development, petroleum investments, or investor negotiations. Dr. Olumide explained that the statutory mandate of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, especially in relation to infrastructure development, was unambiguous as it involved land-use planning and control, including zoning regulations, layout approvals, and the processing of physical planning and development permits for projects, in lin...

 ‎NAF EXECUTES SUCCESSFUL AIR INTERDICTION AGAINST TERRORIST LOGISTICS IN SOUTHERN TUMBUNS ‎ The Nigerian Air Force  has successfully conducted a precision Air Interdiction at Dabar Masara, a known terrorist location in the Southern Tumbuns, as part of ongoing operations to disrupt terrorist activities and logistics.  ‎ Acting on credible intelligence indicating the presence of a terrorist workshop and sustained movement of armed elements, the  Air Component of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI deployed an integrated force package to conduct coordinated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions with strike operations.  ‎ ‎A Statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame indicates that following positive identification and in strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement, the targets were engaged.  ‎ ‎Post-operation Battle Damage Assessment confirmed that the identified vehicles were destroyed ...

 NAF REAFFIRMS PRIORITY ON CIVILIAN SAFETY IN OPERATIONS, WITH UNITED STATES CAPACITY SUPPORT Reinforcing its doctrine of responsible and precise air power, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) hosted a delegation of US experts on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) this week. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, emphasised that the collaboration forms a critical component of the NAF's operational ethics and professional evolution. In his address, Air Marshal Aneke expressed appreciation for the growing partnership, noting that cooperation between both sides has progressed from concept to measurable institutional gains. He highlighted US-supported gains, including the NAF’s CHMR Action Plan, a dedicated Department at the Air Warfare Centre, standardised CHMR training, strengthened assessment and investigation team capabilities, and enhanced strategic communication with NAF Public Relations. The CAS further informed the delegation of his endorsement of...

 OVER 20,000 APPLICANTS PARTICIPATE AS NAF BEGINS NATIONWIDE APTITUDE TEST FOR 2025 RECRUITMENT The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced the Zonal General Aptitude Test for the Year 2025 Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) 46 Recruitment Exercise, with over 20,000 applicants participating nationwide. The exercise is being conducted at 15 designated zonal centres in Sokoto, Minna, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Maiduguri, Yola, Makurdi, Jos, Ilorin, Ipetu-Ijesa, Enugu, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ikeja. This extensive national spread reflects the Service’s commitment to inclusiveness, equal opportunity, and a transparent, merit-driven recruitment process that enables qualified Nigerians from all parts of the country to compete fairly. The impressive turnout further underscores the sustained confidence of Nigerian youths in the Nigerian Air Force as a disciplined, professional, and patriotic institution. It also highlights the NAF’s resolve to attract capable, motivated, and resilient young...

 The Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, in partnership with the Imo State Government, has officially inaugurated the South East LPG Penetration Programme in Owerri, the state capital. The event marks the completion of the programme’s nationwide rollout across all five geopolitical zones, championing a shift towards universal clean cooking. Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, detailed the ambitious goals of the initiative under the Nigeria Decade of Gas agenda. According to him, the programme aims to transition millions of households away from harmful fuels like firewood, charcoal, and kerosene to cleaner, safer Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). He said that key national targets include the distribution of five million cylinders by 2030, converting one million homes annually, and boosting domestic LPG supply to six million metric tonnes per annum, a move expected to generate significant employment. The minister appla...

 Dr Oby Ezekwesili Ezekwesili bags an International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award in Doha The former Vice President of the World Bank and co-founder of Transparency International (TI), Dr Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, was honoured on Sunday, December 14, 2025, in far away Doha, Qatar. Ezekwesili, globally renowned as a public policy leader and anti-corruption reformer with decades of experience in institutional transformation across Africa and internationally, received the joint International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award (Lifetime Achievement) from the ruler of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The award recognises her sustained leadership in transparency reforms, public sector accountability, and values-driven governance. Her work spans national reform efforts, multilateral institutions, and the building of next-generation leadership platforms, including the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) and Human Capital Africa. The Jury of the Internatio...