PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 NDLEA intercepts N3.4bn Loud, opioids, arrests fake police officer, mechanic-drug dealer _- Recovers over 1.3 million pills of opioids, 6,000kg skunk; nabs two teenagers with AK-47 rifles, pistol and ammunition in sweeps across Lagos, Edo, Niger, Delta, Abuja, Gombe, Imo and Ondo_  Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted over 1.3 million pills of tramadol and other opioids as well as 6,000 kilograms of potent strains of cannabis with a combined street value of more than N3,4 billion in a string of major operational breakthroughs across Lagos, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and FCT. Top on the line up of successful operations was the interception of 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis with a gross weight of 603.75 kilograms, valued at One Billion Eight Hundred and Eleven Million Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N1,811,250,0 00), and the arrest of a trafficker who impersonates as a senior police office...

 POLICE SENIOR OFFICERS’ CONFERENCE: IGP DISU EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH LEVEL OF PREPAREDNESS The stage is set in Owerri, Imo State, for the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu on arrival headed straight to the venue to assess preparations for the high-level gathering. Among the places he inspected were the conference facilities, the event’s visual and ceremonial arrangements; including portraits of the Special Guest, the host Governor and former Inspectors-General of Police. After the inspection IGP Disu expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness as the Force puts final arrangements in place to host senior police officers from across the country.

 A 13-year-old Montana boy gave his young life saving his little sister.  A fun day of tubing on Clarks Fork River on September 16th took a tragic turn when a pair of siblings ran into trouble. 13-year-old Ephraim Dayley was tubing near his sister when he noticed she was in trouble. His sister had somehow parted with her tube and was struggling to get back on.  Ephraim wasted no time plunging into the water and giving aid to his sister. After successfully getting his sister back onto the tube, she was unable to help him, and he slipped below the surface.  His sister was able to make it to shore, and authorities were notified.  Sadly, the little hero would not be recovered from the water until the following day. Searchers utilized specialized underwater technology and were able to locate Ephraim under 6 to 10 ft of water. He was respectfully brought ashore and solemnly pronounced deceased on scene. This is a remarkable story of a strong sibling bond transcending ...

 Carson Daly thought Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s romance moved too fast: 'I tried everything in my power to not let this thing happen' Carson Daly has revealed he wasn’t initially supportive of Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s relationship when it began in 2015. During The Voice: 30th Season Celebration, Daly admitted he actively tried to “pump the brakes” on their romance, concerned that both were fresh out of highly publicized divorces.  He recalled discussing the situation with Adam Levine, saying they couldn’t imagine the pairing working out. Shelton confirmed Daly’s account, noting his friend did try to slow things down. Daly explained his hesitation stemmed from the emotional toll of divorce, as Shelton had split from Miranda Lambert and Stefani from Gavin Rossdale that same year. While Daly was skeptical, Levine said he immediately saw the connection between the two coaches and was “pumped on it.”  Their friendship grew during that period, and Stefani’s repres...

 Italy is preparing to ban face coverings in schools and limit the number of foreign students per class. Prime Minister Giorgia ​Meloni said this on Sunday, September 20, at a youth event organised by her party. Meloni said a package of measures will soon go before the Italian cabinet, including a ban on burqas and niqabs in schools, a requirement for parents of pupils facing “serious difficulties integrating” into the national school system to learn Italian, and a limit on places for foreign pupils. “It is unacceptable that in an Italian classroom the children who end up feeling pushed into a corner are Italian children because they have become the minority. That cannot be allowed,” Meloni said during a rally organised by Gioventù Nazionale, the youth wing of her Brothers of Italy party. “Calling all this integration is yet another lie, a convenient lie for those who live off ideology, for those who preach to us from their living rooms and then send their own children to schools w...

 Okwudili Urges Communities to Adopt Building Layouts  By Ruth Orji  The Head of Development Control, Anambra State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ngozi Okwudili, has urged communities to develop layouts guiding building development. Okwudili made the call during an enforcement exercise at Nawfia, Oye-Agu, Odoakpu and Trans-Nkisi area on September 1, 2026. She advised community leaders and stakeholders to establish approved layouts serving as guides for prospective builders and ensuring compliance with physical planning laws and building regulations. According to her, the existence of standard layouts would provide clear development guidelines for intending builders, reduce indiscriminate construction and minimise persistent violations of building regulations. Okwudili explained that the demolition of a building  under construction at the Nawfia Market followed the developers’ failure to provide the required 45 percent parking space. She said th...

 OPERATION HADIN KAI CLARIFIES RECIRCULATED 2016 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT ON GIWA BARRACKS  The attention of Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has been drawn to the recirculation of an old report attributed to Amnesty International, alleging death of detainees, including children, died at Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri. The report, which dates back to 2016, concerns allegations relating to detention conditions during that period and has no connection with events or conditions at the facility in 2026. Its current recirculation without the appropriate historical context is therefore misleading and capable of creating the false impression that the reported deaths are recent occurrences. For clarity, the Amnesty International report was published in May 2016 and the figures contained therein relate to alleged deaths recorded between January and May of that year. While the report represents Amnesty International’s account of events at the time, i...

 TROOPS OF OPERATION ENDURING PEACE RESCUE KIDNAPPED VICTIMS, ARREST SUSPECTS AND RECOVER WEAPONS IN PLATEAU STATE Troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, Operation ENDURING PEACE, deployed at Lamingo, have successfully rescued two kidnapped victims, arrested 11 suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered weapons during separate operations conducted within the Joint Operations Area of Plateau State. The operation, conducted in the early hours of Saturday, 19 September 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities of kidnappers operating within the Rayfield and other parts of Jos North Local Government Area. Acting on the intelligence, troops raided suspected criminal hideouts at Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills, resulting in the arrest of 11 suspects.  The operation was further enhanced by the timely exploitation of intelligence obtained from two kidnapped victims who had been abducted from Gwafan Community on 18 September 2026. During preliminary investigation,...

 GREATER PROSPECTS AS LAGOS, CALIFORNIA SIGN SISTER STATE PACT Hopes of a bright future are high, with two giants giving birth to a new era of collaboration and innovation. Lagos State and the State of California, United States have signed a sister state agreement, which will see the two sub-nationals collaborate in various fields. At a colourful ceremony in Sacramento last Thursday, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Assemblyman Matt Haney signed the document that symbolizes the beginning of a strong partnership between the two cities. Lagos State House of Assembly members Hon. Lukmon Saheed Olumoh, who is the chairman of the Appropriations Committee and Hon. Kehinde Joseph, the Public Account (State)  Committee Chairman, watched as Sanwo-Olu and Haney signed the papers. Also watching were Assembly member Isaac Bryan, who with Haney “authored” the Resolution that made it all possible, Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, a Nigerian, Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty...

 U.S rejects refuge applications from many white South Africans A number of white South Africans, who recently moved to the United States to take up President Donald Trump's refugee status offer, have been denied entry into the US, TRT Afrika reported. UK's The Guardian reports that no reasons were given for many of the rejected applications. However, some who spoke to the news outlet said the US authorities' investigations into their past, some going back as far as 1995, established that they had a history of suspected crime or aggressive public conduct. For instance, one of the applicants, a 67-year-old man, admitted to shooting a black South African national in 1995 after American authorities highlighted that incident during his screening. The man said he was acting in self-defence. 'Ineligible' Another applicant was denied entry after American investigators found he had been convicted for trespassing in 2014, while another couple told The Guardian that their ina...

 UN chief calls for global financial reform, permanent Security Council seats for Africa UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called for sweeping reforms to global governance structures, urging permanent African representation on the UN Security Council and an overhaul of multilateral financial institutions. "We must reform the international financial architecture that was created by the rich for the rich, and we must make it more representative of the needs of developing countries, especially in Africa," Guterres told attendees at the Unstoppable Africa 2026 forum, held on the margins of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. The UN chief emphasised that the continent was a "double victim of colonialism," explaining that historic subjugation prevented African nations from having a seat at the table when post-World War II international institutions were established. Guterres argued that both the UN Security Council and international financial instituti...

 Ed Sheeran weeps on stage, says Israel’s actions in Gaza ‘unjustifiable’ in emotional first speech since Macklemore fiasco Crooner Ed Sheeran called Israel’s actions in Gaza “unjustifiable” as he wept and broke his silence during his first concert since booting rapper Macklemore from his tour for tirades against the Jewish state. “I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” Sheeran told the Philly crowd of concertgoers Saturday night. Sheeran spoke multiple times about the controversy during Saturday night’s show at Lincoln Financial Field, growing progressively more upset as the night wore on and eventually telling fans it had been one of the “worst weeks of his life” and that “I really didn’t know whether I’d be even get on stage again, whether I wanted to be an artist at all.” At the start of the show, before playing any music, he ...

 Iran warns U.S against any new attacks — amid State Department security alert Iran warned on Sunday against any big new attack by the United States and its allies, saying it had information such a move was being prepared, adding to the anxiety in a region already on edge after drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia. Iran’s military central command said on state media that any new attack would trigger sustained retaliation against US bases and interests, and that Washington’s regional allies would be considered parties to the conflict. It did not elaborate on the information it said it had about a coming US attack. The US State Department issued a security alert on Saturday saying there was potential for unforeseen escalation in the Middle East and Americans should exercise more vigilance and be aware of possible flight cancellations and airspace closures. Nearly seven months into the US-Iran war, neither side has looked ready to make major concessions needed to end the fighting...

 PRESIDENT TINUBU MANDATES VICE PRESIDENT SHETTIMA TO  LEAD NIGERIA'S DELEGATION TO 81st UNGA President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, United States. A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President Stanley Nkwocha notes that VP Shettima will lead a high-level delegation comprising Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State; Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State; ministers and other senior government officials. The 81st UNGA General Debate will hold from September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”  It further discloses that at the General Debate, Senator Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s position and priorities on major global...

 2026 World Clean Up Day: First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Calls On Nigerians To Protect Environment For Future Generations First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu has caĺled on Nigerians to be more  responsible in how they purchase, prepare, consume, and preserve food, as part of efforts to build cleaner and healthier communities for present and future generations. In her message marking 2026 World Clean Up day with the theme “From Clean Plates to Clean Cities", the First Lady highlights the need for  households, businesses and communities to reduce food waste, dispose refuse properly and adopt more sustainable practices that protect the environment. She notes that by focusing changed waste, this year's celebration is particularly important at a time when climate change, conflicts, and other global challenges continue to disrupt food production and supply.

 GOVERNOR BAGO COMMISERATES WITH MINE WORKERS IN NIGER STATE; SAYS STATE COMMITTEE IS DIRECTED TO TAKE HEAD COUNTS Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has met with Miners and the Mine Workers in the State to commiserate with them over the death of thirty seven Artisanal Miners who died in the facility of  Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the State. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim indicates that during the Closed Door Meeting, the Governor prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and grant their families the fortitude to bear the loss.  Governor Umaru Bago briefed the leadership and the members of Miners Association of Nigeria, Niger State Chapter and the Nigeria Union of Mine Workers, Niger State Chapter on the strategies evolved by the State Government towards ensuring responsible mining practices across the State. The Governor explained that responsible mining entails ethical practices, environmental st...

 GOVERNOR ODODO DECLARES A THREE DAY MOURNING FOR FORMER KOGI STATE GOVERNOR, IBRAHIM IDRIS Kogi State Governor  Ahmed Usman Ododo, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Governor of the State, Ibrahim Idris, describing his passing as a profound loss to Kogi State and Nigeria. In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Governor Ododo declared a three-day period of mourning in honour of the former Governor and directed that the national and Kogi State flags be flown at half-mast across government offices and other designated public institutions throughout the mourning period. Governor Ododo had earlier visited the residence of the late Ibrahim Idris, where he commiserated with members of the Idris family. In a condolence letter addressed to the family, Governor Ododo said the death of the former Governor had robbed the State of an eminent son who devoted a significant part of his life to the service of the people. The...

 STATEHOUSE  PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU HAILS WINNERS OF BY-ELECTIONS IN GOMBE, KANO, BAUCHI AND DELTA STATES President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulates the winners of the by-elections held over the weekend in five constituencies across Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states.   All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates won four of the five seats, while the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) secured one.   The successful APC candidates are Kallamu MaiJama’a, Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State; Husseini Datti, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State; Okolosi Ator, Udu State Constituency in Delta State; and Yakubu Ali, Disina State Constituency in Bauchi State. Adamu Yakubu of the APM won the Sakwa State Constituency seat in Bauchi State.   The President says the victories recorded by APC candidates once again demonstrate the confidence Nigerians repose in the party’s capacity to govern effectively and deliver shared prosperity.   “I a...

 Teen babysitter fatally abuses baby, leaves body stuffed in couch — with alarming injuries: cops A teenage Kentucky babysitter fatally abused an 11-month-old boy, leaving the child’s stomach covered in teeth marks and stuffing his body in a couch — then concocting an elaborate tale to cover it up, cops say. Elijah Mayes, 19, was arrested after little Grayson Walton’s tiny body was found Sept. 13 in the Cleaton home where the teen had been watching him. Police were called to the home around 5 p.m. that day after Grayson’s father said he’d left his son in Mayes’ care while at work but that the baby was nowhere to be found when he returned. A thorough police search of the home quickly ended with alarming results: Grayson’s body was found jammed into a couch, and his dead body was covered in bruises with what appeared to be teeth marks on his stomach, 14 News reported. The alarming discovery upended the story Mayes had been telling police — that a family friend had picked the baby up ...

Ukraine deploys new 6-ton missile to hit Moscow and Russian refineries —and the result was devastating Ukraine revealed it deployed its massive new 6-ton Flamingo cruise missile its dramatic bombardment targeting Moscow and Russian oil refineries on Sunday. The dramatic strike, which saw Ukraine fire more than 1,000 drones, utilized the new FP-5 Flamingo missiles to reach the Russian capital, highlighting the power of Kyiv’s longest-range weapon, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. The missile was designed and mostly built in Ukraine by defense startup Fire Point — and is reported to be dramatically more powerful than the vaunted American Tomahawk cruise missiles. It also has a greater range, at nearly 2,000 miles. The assault lit up the Gazpromneft-Moscow Oil Refinery, sparking massive fires at the plant that produces some 11.6 million tons of oil a year, according to Russia’s data. “Our long-range responses had a very significant impact in the Moscow region last night,” Zelensky toute...

 Melissa Rivers says ‘big actress’ confronted her over ‘Fashion Police’ comments: ‘I didn’t like your dress’ Melissa Rivers dished on once being confronted by an A-lister over her “Fashion Police” comments. “I’ve had a big actress confront me at a party,” the 58-year-old, who co-hosted the E! show from 2015 to 2017 with her late mom, Joan Rivers, revealed to “McBride Rewind” podcast listeners Tuesday. “I [was] just like, ‘I didn’t like your dress,'” Melissa recalled without elaborating on the celebrity’s identity. Melissa’s rep did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment. Joan’s daughter confessed there was a “painful list” of high-profile people she and the comedian offended over the years — and called out “one person who came after” her only to listen to her critique. “The next show or the next year, she showed up with a new stylist, looking great, different hair color and had clearly had a facelift,” Melissa recalled. Elsewhere in the episode, she described an ...

 Harry and Meghan's media treatment echoes what happened to Diana, Earl Spencer tells BBC Earl Spencer has drawn parallels between Princess Diana’s struggles with the press and the scrutiny faced today by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In a BBC interview, he described tabloid coverage as a “cancerous influence” and recalled Diana’s “tears of despair” under relentless criticism.  He said it was “beholden on people to learn from Diana’s example,” noting how damaging daily attacks can be for anyone in the public eye. Spencer emphasized that he supports both of Diana’s sons equally, rejecting the idea that he is only “on Harry’s side.” He explained that his concern stems from witnessing how media hostility deeply affected his sister, leaving her “brought low” by constant judgment.  He sees echoes of that treatment in the way the Sussexes have been portrayed since stepping back from royal duties, particularly in light of their own public criticisms of the press. The interview...

Edo Monarch’s ex-wife cries out, alleges he took her children from her and abandoned them in the village with his mother  A woman who claims to be the ex-wife of King of Ubiaja, has publicly cried out, alleging that the Edo monarch took her children away from her and abandoned them in the village with mother, while he reportedly remains in Benin City. In an emotional video posted on her Facebook account, the woman identified as Ese Jane Edojawene claimed that her children are not in school since resumption. She tearfully pleaded with the monarch to allow her talk to her children, adding that she is depressed.  The woman earlier alleged past domestic violence, bullying and verbal abuse. Watch video below. 

 An Indiana mother asked acquaintances if her 3-year-old could swim in their pool. Soon after, the mother got blackout drunk and her son drowned.  This is a heartbreaking story out of Evansville, Indiana, where an act of kindness led to tragedy.  According to the homeowners, 41-year-old Amie Jo Farber showed up at their home on North Second avenue, yesterday, September 19th at 2:30 p.m. Amie asked the homeowner if her son could swim in their pool. The homeowner agreed as long as Amie watched her son and ensured his safety.  Two hours later, the homeowner decided to check on the mother and son.  They were immediately shocked and panicked by what they saw- Amie was passed out in a patio chair while her son floated facedown and lifeless in the water.  Despite the shock, the homeowners jumped into action with one calling 911 while the other pulled the child from the water and began CPR. The 911 call captures repeat attempts to wake Amie up in the background. Th...

 PRP Seeks Justice For 37 Miners Who Died In NSCDC Custody In Niger State Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) is seeking justice following the death of 37 miners in NSCDC custody in Minna, Niger State. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Muhammed Ishaq, the party demands the Federal Government to expedite action for the establishment of an Independent Commission of Inquiry and prosecution of any officer found culpable. PRP also expresses concern over the continued captivity of hostages kidnapped since August in Dekara community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The party says the incidents underscore the need for stronger protection of lives and property, warning that rising banditry and kidnapping in the North Central and North West could escalate into a major national security threat. It therefore urges the federal government to hold the security officers accountable and intensify efforts in ensuring peace and security across the nation.

 AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Taiwo Awoniyi Replaces Injured Victor Osimhen in Nigeria Squad The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up to replace the injured Victor Osimhen for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The Super Eagles are preparing for back-to-back qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, but they will have to navigate these crucial encounters without their star Galatasaray striker. Osimhen Sidelined With Adductor Strain Osimhen’s exclusion comes after the forward failed to recover from a right adductor muscle strain. National team head coach Eric Chelle had originally included the Galatasaray forward in the squad list, hoping he would recover in time for the late September international fixtures. However, those hopes were dashed when Osimhen missed Galatasaray's crucial Turkish Süper Lig clash against Trabzonspor on September 19. The club match had been designated b...

 Natasha Osawaru Unfollows 2Baba on Instagram Amidst Intense Marital Speculation Edo State lawmaker, Natasha Osawaru, has unfollowed her husband, legendary Afrobeats musician Innocent Idibia, widely known as 2Baba, on Instagram. This digital move, observed on Sunday, September 20, 2026, is seen by many as a significant development in their high-profile marriage, reigniting persistent rumours of marital discord. The action by Natasha appears to be a direct response to 2Baba’s own social media conduct. Reports circulating in the weeks leading up to this suggest that the Afrobeats icon had quietly removed Natasha from his following list after a widely reported public confrontation involving the couple at an Abuja nightclub on August 7, 2026. Adding to the intensity of the situation, Natasha was conspicuously absent from 2Baba's recent 51st birthday celebration. The event saw the singer surrounded by his seven children, extended family, and close friends, a gathering that only served t...

  Davido’s Wife Chioma Adeleke’s Radiant New Look Sparks Excitement on Jet to Houston Nigerian music icon Davido and his wife, Chioma Adeleke, have once again captured the hearts of social media users. A newly surfaced video of the beloved couple on a private jet journey has set the internet abuzz, with fans particularly captivated by Chioma's glowing and refreshed appearance. On Saturday, September 19, the couple was spotted aboard a luxury private jet traveling from Atlanta to Houston, Texas. According to online updates, the couple made the trip to join in the birthday celebrations of talent manager and close associate, Sir Banko. While the star-studded travel itself drew significant attention, it was Chioma’s stunning look that stole the spotlight. Fans Gush Over Chioma's Radiant Transformation Chioma, who has largely maintained a private lifestyle away from the constant glare of social media, looked absolutely breathtaking in the viral clip. Followers and top industry perso...

 APC PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ATIKU MUST EXPLAIN THE LEGAL AND FISCAL BASIS OF HIS PETROL SUBSIDY PROPOSAL At his press conference in Abuja on Friday, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar reiterated his proposed  “production subsidy” for locally refined petrol, which he said would reduce pump prices. He went further to ask President Bola Tinubu to slash the cost of diesel and petrol at the pump. That proposal raises important legal, fiscal and practical questions that he must answer. Section 205(1) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 provides that unrestricted free-market conditions shall determine wholesale and retail prices of petroleum products. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, in a statement on Saturday, explained that it neither fixes pump prices nor issues administrative price templates, except where the statutory conditions for intervention are met. The PIA provisions guide its function.  At the moment, “No such market fail...