PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Somalia kills 27 Al Shabab terrorists, defence ministry says Somalia's defence ministry said that its armed forces and regional security forces had killed 27 Al Shabab terrorists in Jubbaland state in an operation with international support, Reuters reported. The defence ministry statement did not name the international partners that provided support but said its operation was backed by air strikes. The defence ministry said the terrorists were killed in "a large-scale operation in areas of Lower Jubba and Middle Jubba," adding that weapons and landmines had also been seized. It said those killed included key members of the terrorist group. An African Union peacekeeping mission has also been trying to aid the Somali government's efforts to combat Al Shabab.

 Basketball coach arrested on multiple charges of sex crimes against children. Detectives found AI images on his "device." He was previously charged as a teacher in 2010 for sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl. The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of a basketball coach on multiple charges of sex crimes against children. On April 16, the sheriff's office charged Chad R. Snow, 42, of Sutton Drive, Camillus, N.Y., with promoting a sexual performance by a child and possession of a sexual performance of a child. Both charges are felonies. He is also facing misdemeanor counts of obscenity and endangering the welfare of a child. The investigation into Snow's alleged crimes began when a person reported that Snow had AI-generated pornographic images of females he knew. Those victims' ages ranged from 14 to 30-years-old. Detectives found the AI images on Snow's "device." Those images included a pornographic image of a 14-year-old wh...

A man allegedly poisoned his co-worker’s water bottle and shoes with lab chemicals after the victim received a promotion that he wanted. According to a press release from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department, authorities responded to a research lab on the university’s campus after receiving a report of “an unknown odor coming from items in an office.” Upon retrieving the items in question, authorities found that the suspicious items tested positive “for the presence of a chemical.” Shortly after the investigation began, 41-year-old Makoto Kuroda, who worked at the UW-Madison’s Influenza Research Institute with the victim since 2017, texted a coworker to confess to the crime, local outlet WISC reported. “I did it,” Kuroda allegedly wrote. “I have also informed the person himself.” Kuroda was arrested and allegedly told police that he put the chemicals in the victim’s belongings because the victim received a promotion that he wanted. Additionally, he reportedly complaine...

 North Carolina man has been arrested after breaking into his girlfriend's home and setting her on fire. Authorities in Roseboro, North Carolina, responded to a structure fire on the evening of April 12th. Once on scene, authorities were saddened to find a 36-year-old woman suffering burns over two-thirds of her body. They were shocked when they learned her injuries were the result of a targeted attack. Despite her injuries, the female victim was able to identify her attacker as 29-year-old, Franklin Faircloth. According to authorities, Faircloth had forced his way into the home and doused the victim with gasoline. He then set her ablaze and fled the scene on a bicycle.  On April 13th police took Faircloth into custody after receiving a tip from a citizen. He was found hiding out behind a residence in Roseboro. Franklin Faircloth is being charged with attempted homicide, first-degree arson, first-degree burglary, assault inflicting serious bodily injury, and domestic violence....

 A hero clerk and fellow students saved the day and a life, when a 16-year-old girl was kidnapped at gunpoint. A 16-year-old girl was walking to the bus stop in Hamtramck, Michigan, on Monday, April 13th, when the unthinkable happened. An armed man forced the young girl into his vehicle and sped away as she was headed to the bus stop. The abduction was witnessed by fellow students who called 911 and immediately began assisting officers by helping track the victim's movements through her phone and social media apps. (Thank you, fellow students).  While police were already hot on the suspect's trail, his decision to make a stop for cigarettes at a Sunco gas station about 30 minutes after the abduction, would be his undoing.  The Sunco clerk, Abdulraham Abohatem, noticed the young girl mouthing the word "help."  Abohatem wasted absolutely no time; coming around the counter and confronting the man while getting the victim behind him. He then began forcing the suspect out...

 GOV. ZULUM LAUNCHES ONE BILLION NAIRA EMPOWERMENT SCHEME, FLAGS OFF 500 UNITS OF ELECTRIC TRICYCLES  Borno state Government has launched one billion naira empowerment scheme and the distribution of 500 units of electric tricycles to Keke NAPEP Association under the empowerment for Develoment and sustenance scheme . Governor Babagana Umara Zulum flagged off the distribution at the Government House Maiduguri.    The 500 units electirc tricycles were part of projects inaugurated by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the transport sector during his  state visit to Borno. The distribution ceremony attracted beneficiaries and members of the Keke NAPEP Riders Association and critical stakeholders in the transport sector .  The 500 eco-friendly electic tricycles will not only create jobs for the teeming youth but will also ease movement of citizens within the metropolis and environs. More photos below. 

 ADC CLARIFIES TRANSITION TIMELINE; SETS 12th  MAY AS DATE FOR ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE BY ITS NEW EXECUTIVES  The African Democratic Congress ADC says newly elected state executives and party officers will only assume office after their formal inauguration on May 12, 2026, or any later date announced by the party. In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, current executives remain the recognized office holders until the transition process is completed.  He urges newly elected officials to avoid any actions that may create confusion within the party. The statement further adds that ADC remains committed to discipline and strict adherence to its constitution.

 Rivers judiciary defends judge, tackles NBA over jailed lawyer The Rivers State Judiciary has responded to criticisms over the decision of Justice Chinwendu Nwogu to jail a lawyer, Mrs Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin, for three days for contempt of court. This reaction followed a statement by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, titled ‘Judges Must Not Bully Lawyers Or Abuse Power To Punish For Contempt As a Tool For Intimidation Of Lawyer’, which raised concerns about how the judge handled the case. A statement signed by the Chief Registrar of the Rivers State High Court, David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, said it was important to clarify what really happened and correct what it described as misleading information. According to the statement, Mrs Benjamin, who was representing the defendants in the case, tried to mislead the court in her final written address by presenting facts and evidence that did not exist. “The Learned Counsel when confronted by the court, admitted that what she stated in her fi...

 Obey Tinubu’s directive on rural development, LG funds – Abia APC chieftain tells Nigerian govs A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Darlington Nnaoma Onyekacha, has called on governors and State Houses of Assembly across Nigeria to ensure that monthly financial allocations from the Federation Account are judiciously utilised, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive. Onyekacha made the call on Thursday while formally declaring his intention to contest for the Ikwuano State Constituency seat in the Abia State House of Assembly. He expressed regret that despite the huge funds being received by states and local governments, many rural communities across the country remain underdeveloped. Onyekacha lamented the high rate of poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and infrastructure deficits in rural areas, describing the situation as unacceptable given the substantial inflow of resources to state and local government coffers. He blamed the persistent underd...

 Okpuno, Isuaniocha Communities Appeal to EEDC Over Power Supply Cut ‎ ‎By Lilian Ezejiegu ‎ ‎Residents of Okpuno, Isuaniocha and surrounding communities in Anambra State have raised concerns over the prolonged power outage affecting the areas, describing the situation as a major setback to economic and social activities. ‎ ‎The residents said the blackout, which has lasted for over more than one month, has disrupted businesses, household activities and increased hardship for families already struggling with the high cost of living. ‎ ‎Some of those who spoke with journalists, including Mr. Anthony Okoye, Mr. Aniemeka Nwalieji, Miss Anikpe Rose and Mrs. Juliana Ethel, appealed to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, (EEDC), to urgently restore power supply to the communities. ‎ ‎They noted that many small business owners who depend on electricity for their daily operations have recorded losses, while residents now spend more on alternative sources of power. ‎ ‎According to t...

 Concerned Parent Urges Tight Security as 2026 UTME Begins By Obianuju Azukaego As the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) gets underway, a concerned parent, Engr. Anthony Ikemefuna, has urged teachers, parents, and guardians to closely monitor the movements of their children and students heading to various examination centres. Engr. Ikemefuna, the Managing Director of Anthon Computers, Fegge, Onitsha, made this call in an interview with an information officer today. He warned that the UTME period could be exploited by individuals with malicious intentions to perpetrate criminal acts, lamenting that some parents and guardians have neglected their responsibilities, particularly in ensuring the safety of their children by accompanying them to examination centres. “I advise fellow parents and teachers to make it a duty to follow their children or students who are UTME candidates to their various centres to avoid any unpleasant or negative incidents,” he said. Accord...

 MIXED EMOTIONS AS CWO AWKA DIOCESE MARKS MOTHER’S DAY WITH INMATES By Regina Igwebuike April 15 brought an atmosphere of mixed emotions to the Correctional Center Amawbia as the Catholic Women Organization, Awka Diocese, arrived to celebrate Mother’s Day 2026 with inmates.  Joy, gratitude, and quiet reflection filled the hall as mothers and inmates shared prayers, songs, and words of hope amid the reality of confinement.  Innocent Amaechi, Deputy Comptroller of Corrections, warmly welcomed the Catholic Women Organization and thanked them for their consistent Mother’s Day outreach. “It’s a yearly ritual the mothers observe, though this is my first time witnessing it live,” quoting Scripture: “When I was in prison, you visited me.”  He prayed for strength for the mothers and that God would replenish all they gave, asking Him to bless and keep mothers in good health. Speaking to inmates, he stressed a mother’s enduring presence through every trial. “If your mother is s...