PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 SECURITY OPERATIVES RESCUE 21 KIDNAP VICTIMS, ARREST FOUR SUSPECTS IN DANMUSA The Katsina State Government has successfully rescued 21 kidnap victims comprising 9 Christians and 2 Muslims during a joint security operation in Dargaza Hills, Danmusa Local Government Area. The intelligence-led operation comprising the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army (NA), alongside the Nigerian Police Force (NP) and Community Watch Corps, led to the arrest of four suspects currently undergoing investigation. The rescued victims comprised 16 women, two men and three babies, were kidnapped from Gidan Sarkin Bayero Village in Musawa LGA and other locations. More so, 19 of the rescued victims are Christians, while two are Muslims, this shows the indiscriminate nature of banditry and the government's commitment to protecting all citizens regardless of religion. The operation targeted the enclave of notorious bandit leader Kamilu Chiroma, also known as Buzaru, in Dargaza Hills. This succe...

 RIVERS MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING WIFE DURING FARM DISPUTE  Police in Rivers State have arrested a man identified as Mr. Abuchi for allegedly killing his wife in Amaji village, Umuoyoro Community, Omuma Local Government Area. The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, February 19, 2026, when the couple went to their farm. Sources said an argument broke out between them, during which Abuchi allegedly used a kitchen knife to attack his wife, a mother of two. Villagers nearby reportedly rushed to the scene after hearing the woman’s screams. They overpowered and restrained the suspect. A security source said Abuchi told investigators he “did not know what came over him.” The suspect has been handed over to the Eberi Police Division in Omuma LGA. Rivers State Police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest, adding that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served.

 300 Households Benefit From Ramadan Palliatives In Kaduna North No fewer than 300 households across the twelve wards of Kaduna North Local Government Area have benefited from the distribution of Ramadan relief packages aimed at easing the burden on vulnerable families during the holy month. The palliative items comprising rice, millet, and sugar were distributed on behalf of the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, as part of efforts to complement the administration’s human capital development agenda. Speaking during the distribution exercise, the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, Mubarak Mohammed, said the initiative underscores the Governor’s commitment to supporting citizens, particularly during Ramadan. According to him, the intervention is designed to provide relief to families and promote inclusive development across communities in Kaduna North LGA. Mohammed expressed appreciation to the Governor for the opportunity to serve and thanked resi...

 PRESS RELEASE OGUN STATE GOVERNMENT DISASSOCIATES ITSELF FROM RUMOURS ON THE SELECTION OF THE AWUJALE OF IJEBULAND The attention of Ogun State Government has been drawn to rumours circulating in certain quarters alleging that the Ifa oracle has chosen Prince Ademorin Aliu Kuye as the next Awujale of Ijebuland and that the State Government has endorsed or supported this purported outcome. The Government wishes to categorically state that it is not involved in, nor has it endorsed, any such claim. The process for the selection and installation of the next Awujale of Ijebuland is guided strictly by the applicable laws, established procedures, and recognised traditional customs.  Any suggestion that the Government has adopted or approved a candidate through an oracle or any informal process is false, misleading, and should be disregarded by the public. Furthermore, the Ogun State Government wishes to inform all stakeholders and the general public that the process for filling the ...

 Gov. Yusuf Commends INEC, Security Agencies for Peaceful Conduct of Bye-Election in Kano Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for ensuring the peaceful and orderly conduct of the bye-election held in Kano State. This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Saturday. The Governor described the election as a milestone in the democratic journey of the state, noting that the calm atmosphere recorded across polling units reflected the growing political maturity of the people and the effectiveness of security arrangements put in place. He specifically appreciated the people of Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Assembly Constituencies, where the bye-election was conducted, for their cooperation, discipline and commitment to peaceful participation in the exercise. Governor Yusuf also lauded the conduct of political parties and stakeholde...

 Veterans file lawsuit to halt construction of ‘Arc de Trump’    A group of Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to stop President Donald Trump’s plan to build a 250-foot “Independence Arch” at the western edge of the National Mall. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks a judge to block construction at Memorial Circle—between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery—until the project receives explicit congressional approval. The plaintiffs argue the arch would interfere with the historically significant line of sight between the two memorials, which was intentionally designed to symbolize national unity after the Civil War. The veterans, Michael Lemmon, Shaun Byrnes, and Jon Gunderson, along with retired senior architectural historian Calder Roth, contend that the arch, planned to be completed for the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, would obstruct views of Arlington H...

 The Jennifer Hudson Show renewed for fifth season The Jennifer Hudson Show has been renewed for a fifth season by Fox Television Stations, securing its place in a daytime landscape that has seen significant downsizing in recent years. The Telepictures-produced talk show, hosted by award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, continues to expand its audience even as other syndicated daytime programs wind down. Both The Kelly Clarkson Show on NBC-owned stations and Sherri on Fox-owned stations are set to conclude this season, further narrowing the field in daytime television. During the 2025–26 season to date, The Jennifer Hudson Show has posted year-over-year gains among Adults 25–54, with total viewership among Women 25–54 rising 10 percent. The program has also built a strong digital footprint, ranking as the top daytime talk show on TikTok and Threads and holding the second-largest overall social media following in the genre. Its widely shared “Spirit Tunnel” segment alone ...

 NASCAR team files lawsuit against former employee over alleged theft of racing secrets Joe Gibbs Racing filed a federal lawsuit Thursday, alleging that its former competition director, Christopher Gabehart, stole confidential business information and planned to provide it to rival team Spire Motorsports. The racing organization claims Gabehart, who had been with Joe Gibbs Racing since 2012, used sensitive company data to solicit at least one other employee to join Spire, and the team is seeking $8 million in damages. According to the suit, Gabehart became dissatisfied with his role during the 2025 season and sought additional authority over other departments. When his requests were denied, Joe Gibbs Racing alleges that he began a deliberate plan to take the company’s most sensitive information to a competitor. The team says that before leaving on November 10, 2025, Gabehart downloaded confidential material, and three days later received a job offer from Spire, despite previously c...

 TROOPS INTERCEPT SUSPECTED GUN RUNNER, RECOVER 969 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION IN TARABA In continued efforts to stamp out criminal activities and sustain peace in Taraba State, troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army (NA)/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), on 21 February 2026, successfully intercepted and arrested a suspected gun-runner during a stop-and-search operation at Sarkin Kudu in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State. The operation followed actionable and credible intelligence. Vigilant troops on sentry duty flagged down an Audi vehicle with registration number RBC 798 DV (Abuja). Upon a thorough search of the vehicle, one Mr. Monday Reuben, a 48-year-old male from Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was arrested. Items recovered from the suspect include: Two (2) AK-47 rifles One hundred and ninety-seven (197) empty magazines One (1) box of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammunition containing 250 rounds Fourteen (14) packs of 9mm Parabellum ammunition containing 700 rounds Ninet...

 Amesbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. A Zimbabwean man has been banned from parts of Amesbury after a court found him guilty of repeated begging. Tatenda Mushandu, 40, received a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on 10 February. The court convicted him on four counts of persistent begging. According to police, his conduct caused harassment, alarm and distress to members of the public, including shoppers and staff in local businesses. Authorities said the order restricts him from begging in specified areas of the town for three years. The court did not disclose additional details about the circumstances of the offences in the public summary. Further information on compliance with the order was not immediately available. Police have not indicated whether any additional charges are pending.

 Come With Me - Amber Glenn Recreates the Jump That Cost Her an Olympic Medal The fall did not define her, and neither did the score. Just days after a costly mistake in the women’s final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Amber Glenn stepped back onto the ice, camera in hand, ready to face the moment head on. During her short program on Feb. 17, the 26 year old American skater struggled with a required triple axel and popped out of a triple toe loop.  The slip proved expensive. She earned a 67.39, more than 11 points behind the leader, and her medal hopes took a serious hit. But Glenn did not retreat. Instead, she opened TikTok. “Come with me to do the jump that cost me an Olympic medal,” she told followers in a video posted Feb. 20.  Inside an empty rink, she pushed off, gathered speed, and launched. Within seconds, she landed the triple axel cleanly.  She turned to the camera with a wry smile. “Yeah, okay. That’s fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.” The humor w...

 He Couldn’t Leave What He Hoped - Eric Dane’s Friend Defends GoFundMe Campaign Launched After Actor’s Death at 53 In the wake of Eric Dane’s death at 53, grief quickly turned into action. Within hours, friends of the late actor organized a GoFundMe campaign to support his family, determined to ease the financial strain left behind after his battle with ALS. For those closest to him, the decision was deeply personal. “My friend of almost two decades just left us after a brutal battle with ALS,” Mike McGuiness shared on Instagram on February 20.  “I’m the positive spin guy and can come up with something hopeful in most any situation. This one broke me.” Dane’s family confirmed that he passed away Thursday afternoon following what they described as a courageous fight. In their statement, they shared that he spent his final days surrounded by loved ones, including his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia, whom they called the center of his world. Th...

 A boxing coach who once pursued a career in television has been jailed for 16 years after luring a stranger into his home and sexually assaulting her. Daniel Jones, 47, was sentenced to 16 years in prison, with a further eight years on extended licence, following a serious sexual offence that took place in July last year. The court heard how Jones tricked a woman into entering his home under the false pretence of asking for help with his injured dog. Once inside, he sexually assaulted her. In a further disturbing development, Jones also trapped a female police officer in his living room when she attended the property to rescue the victim. The officer had responded to the emergency situation, only to find herself temporarily confined by Jones during the ordeal. Jones had been known locally for running a boxing gym and training business. However, it has now emerged that in the years leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic, he had also attempted to establish himself as an actor. He appea...

 A man who sexually abused five of his children has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.   The children were locked in a room for days at a time, deprived of food and forced to drink urine. Noel Farrell, 70, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to a number of counts of sexual abuse against his four daughters and one son at various addresses in Co Sligo over two decades. Sentencing him, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said this was a case he suspected would stand out in his memory “for all the wrong reasons” including the extreme cruelty and gravity of the offending. He said: “It is truly shocking. One runs out of words in trying to describe the depths plumbed in this particular case.  He said the complainants were dealt a terrible hand in life and were exposed to a grotesque breach of parental trust. He said they had shown an extraordinary degree of fortitude and courage in how they faced up to their lives. Noting the lack of mitigating factors in the case, save for th...

 Two men have been jailed after launching a sustained and violent assault on a man in a residential street in Peterborough. Audrius Verkauskas, 40, and Aurimas Bekeris, 37, carried out the attack in Gladstone Street at around 9am on 19 December following a confrontation with the victim, who is the former partner of Verkauskas’ girlfriend. The court heard that a heated exchange began after the pair spotted the man near their home. The confrontation quickly escalated into violence, with Verkauskas and Bekeris subjecting the victim — a man in his 40s — to a prolonged and sustained attack. Even after initially walking away, the two men returned multiple times to continue beating him. They repeatedly punched and stamped on the victim as he lay motionless on the ground. Emergency services were called, and the injured man was taken to Peterborough City Hospital for treatment. He suffered a suspected broken nose, including a complex laceration, as well as bruising to his chest. Both Verkau...

 Princess Kate has stepped out for the first time since Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest.  The Princess of Wales has made a solo appearance at the England vs Ireland Six Nations match in Twickenham, West London, in her official role as Patron of the Rugby Football Union. It is the first time Kate has been seen in public since Andrew was arrested on Thursday morning. The disgraced royal was taken into police custody on his 66th birthday when six unmarked police cars turned up at his temporary home of Wood Farm to detain him on suspicion of misconduct in a public office. Today Kate sported a dark blue wool coat over a black jersey as she took her seat in the Twickenham stands just before kick-off, the outfit topped off by a red, white and blue England scarf emblazoned with the team's red rose badge.

 Kano by-election: PDP, NNPP, ADC missing on ballot papers Three major opposition parties; the Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigerian Peoples Party, and African Democratic Congress, are missing on the ballot papers for the Kano State House of Assembly by-election holding on Saturday. The by-election is being conducted to fill two vacant seats in the state assembly following the deaths of the former lawmakers last year, who were members of the NNPP before their demise. According to newsmen present at the polling units, “three major opposition political parties are missing on the Independent National Electoral Commission  ballot for the by-election holding today in Kano.” The report added that “nine political parties, excluding PDP, NNPP and ADC, are boldly listed on the ballot papers.”

 ABSU Postpones 2025/2026 SUG Election Indefinitely Following Protest Over Disqualification of Presidential Aspirant The management of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, has indefinitely postponed the 2025/2026 Students’ Union Government (SUG) election after a protest erupted over the disqualification of a presidential aspirant from the Faculty of Engineering. In a press release issued on Saturday and signed by the university's Public Relations Officer, Dr. Chijioke Nwogu, the institution expressed dismay at what it described as a "sponsored protest" by some Engineering students and others from neighboring institutions. The protest disrupted the campus's peaceful academic environment. The disqualified aspirant, Nicholas Emmanuel Chimaobi, a Mechanical Engineering student, was barred from contesting the SUG presidency by the Students’ Union Government Electoral Commission (SUGECO) on security grounds, according to the statement. Students had alleged the disqualificat...

 TARABA STATE VARSITY SHAKE-UP AS GOV. KEFAS SUSPENDS VC, DISSOLVES GOVERNING COUNCIL OVER 'PERSISTENT STRIKES' Governor Agbu Kefas has suspended the Vice Chancellor of Taraba State University (TSU), Professor Sunday Bako, and dissolved the institution’s Governing Council with immediate effect. The governor announced the decision during a meeting with members of the Governing Council, university management, and leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). According to him, the action followed persistent industrial strikes and what he described as administrative shortcomings that have disrupted academic activities at the university. TSU, established in 2008 under the administration of the late Danbaba Suntai, currently has over 20,000 students. Governor Kefas said the repeated strikes had negatively impacted the academic calendar and the overall stability of the institution. He noted that his admini...

 Sudan war: WHO says attacks on health facilities killed 69 this year  Five attacks on healthcare facilities have killed dozens of people in Sudan since the beginning of the year, the WHO said Saturday, as the war nears the start of its fourth year. The fighting between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has dismantled an already fragile medical system, with more than a third of facilities currently out of service. "During the first 50 days of 2026, five attacks on health care have already been recorded in Sudan, killing 69 people and injuring 49," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X, AFP reported. On Sunday a hospital was targeted in the southeastern state of Sennar, leaving three patients dead and seven people wounded, including an employee, Tedros said. Focus of fighting In three other attacks early this month, more than 30 people were killed when medical centres were targeted in South Kordofan, a vast region south of the capital, Kharto...

Netflix releases posthumous Eric Dane interview following ALS death Eric Dane did not believe in life after death. “I think when the lights go out, it’s over,” he said in an interview for Netflix’s “Famous Last Words.” “Once we’re gone, we’re gone.” In the episode, he reflected on his life and expressed hope that his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, would remember the moments he was present—attending beach volleyball games, dance recitals, and even watching “The Nutcracker” multiple times, joking that it “drones on.” Dane, known for his roles in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” died Thursday, less than a year after announcing his ALS diagnosis, a terminal nerve disease. “Famous Last Words,” adapted from a Danish series, records interviews that are only released after the guest’s death. Dane’s episode is the show’s second, following an episode with Jane Goodall. Executive producer Brad Falchuk noted the interviews are conducted privately, with minimal crew, to allow guests to speak fr...

 Barry Manilow delays additional shows, citing lungs ‘aren’t ready yet’ Singer Barry Manilow has postponed additional arena shows, saying his lungs “aren’t ready yet” for the physical demands of a 90-minute performance following cancer surgery. Manilow revealed in December that doctors found a cancerous spot on his left lung after an MRI was ordered during his recovery from several weeks of bronchitis. The spot required surgical removal, which he said went well earlier this year. He initially delayed some Las Vegas residency dates set for Feb. 12–21. On Friday, Manilow announced the postponement of arena shows scheduled for Feb. 27 through March 17. He shared that his surgeon told him, despite being in good shape, his lungs aren’t ready for a full-length concert. Manilow described the news as “very depressing,” noting that even with daily treadmill workouts, he can only sing three songs in a row before needing a break. The affected dates include stops in Tampa, Orlando, Sunrise, an...

 Tesla fails to overturn $243 million verdict in fatal Autopilot crash lawsuit  A federal judge in Miami has rejected Tesla’s request to overturn a $243 million verdict in a lawsuit over a fatal 2019 crash involving the company’s Autopilot system. The ruling means Tesla must compensate the family of Naibel Benavides, who was killed, and her boyfriend Dillon Angulo, who was seriously injured. The crash occurred in Key Largo, Florida, when Tesla owner George McGee, using a Model S with Enhanced Autopilot, dropped his phone and tried to retrieve it, expecting the system to automatically brake for obstacles. Instead, the vehicle accelerated through an intersection at over 60 mph, striking a parked car and hitting Benavides and Angulo. A jury had previously found Tesla partially responsible for the accident. In her decision, U.S. District Court Judge Beth Bloom wrote that the trial evidence fully supported the jury’s verdict and that no legal errors justified a new trial or overtur...

 Reality TV star, Nengi, shares lovely photos as her daughter, Alani, turns one today February 20 The excited mum wrote ‘’My sweet daughter, Alani… where do I even begin? You didn’t just change my world, you became my world. My love for you goes beyond words, beyond time, beyond this lifetime. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the way you smile at me, the way your eyes light up when I walk into the room. You are the light of my life. Your laughter saves me on my hard days, and your presence reminds me of all that truly matters. I promise to always do my best for you, protect you with everything in me and make you the happiest and most loved child in this world. Some days I wonder if I’m doing enough as your mother… but if you could answer, I know you would say I’m the best mom in the world. I wish I could freeze time because you’re growing so fast… yet I’m so proud of every new version of you. Thank you God, for trusting me with such a precious gift, the child you chose me to ca...