A military transport plane crashed Monday when taking off in Colombia, officials said, with at least 80 people aboard though there were conflicting reports about how many troops were dead and injured.

As many as 50 people may have survived when the Hercules aircraft went down shortly after departure from Puerto Leguizamo, near the southern border with Ecuador, a military source said.

The troubled border area has been the scene of heavy military activity in recent weeks, as the Colombian and Ecuadoran militaries try to tackle drug-running cartels and militias.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known. State broadcaster RCN broadcast images of a badly damaged fuselage aflame in a forest clearing.

Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed “deep sorrow” at the accident.

“Military units are already at the scene,” Sanchez posted on social media, adding that “the number of victims and the causes of the crash have not yet been confirmed.”

“It is a deeply painful event for the country. May our prayers bring some measure of comfort,” said Sanchez.

The crash is the second by a C-130 Hercules aircraft in South America in under a month.

A Bolivian military cargo plane carrying banknotes crashed while landing near La Paz on February 27, leaving at least 24 people dead.

The Hercules is a four-engine turboprop plane built by Lockheed Martin.

Renowned for its ability to operate from makeshift airstrips, it is widely used by militaries around the world and can carry everything from troops to vehicles.

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The National Emergency Management Agency on Monday received 708 stranded Nigerians from Niamey, the Niger Republic.

The Head of Operations, NEMA Kano Office, Dr. Nura Abdullahi, made this known while briefing newsmen, shortly after receiving the returnees at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano for profiling.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the returnees, conveyed in 12 luxurious buses, arrived at about 4:08 pm. and are currently undergoing physical verification.

The returnees comprised 292 male adults and children, 416 female adults and children from different parts of Nigeria, particularly Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Benue, Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kogi and Niger states.

Abdullahi said the returnees were brought back by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He said the returnees have been fed, and arrangements have been made for temporary shelter.

“They have also been given blankets, mosquito nets and dignity kits containing toiletries, wrappers, sanitary pads and other essentials.

“By tomorrow morning, after necessary profiling, they will be transported to their respective states,” Abdullahi said.

He noted that medical personnel from the Nigerian Red Cross were on the ground to provide treatment for sick returnees, while severe cases would be referred to appropriate state health facilities.

He advised the general public and Nigerian youths to avoid endangering their lives by travelling to seek greener pastures in other countries.

Also speaking, the Kano Field Coordinator of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Hajiya Luba Liman, described the exercise as a “whole-of-government approach” to evacuate stranded Nigerians.

She said the evacuation was facilitated by the Federal Government in collaboration with the Nigerian Embassy in Niamey and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“This is a voluntary return. Many of them could not afford to come back on their own, so the government arranged for their evacuation,” Liman said.

Recounting their ordeals, one of the returnees, Malam Kamalu Abdullahi from Kaduna State, said he had lived in Niamey for 12 years before violence forced him to flee.

“I woke up one morning, hearing people shouting ‘fire, fire’. My house and those of other Nigerians were set ablaze. When I came out, I was attacked and told to leave the country,” he said.

He commended the Federal Government for providing shelter and facilitating their return to Nigeria, stressing that he would not return to Niger even if offered financial incentives.

Rabi’a Inusa, a mother of three from Jigawa, said family challenges pushed her into traveling to Niamey with two of her children, where she spent five months in hardship.

“My husband in Nigeria sold our house and threw my belongings on the street. I decided to travel to Algeria to seek greener pastures, rent a house in Nigeria, and provide for my children.

“I was sleeping on the streets. I was directed to a camp for voluntary returnees. I spent over N100,000 on transport when I was travelling to Niamey and returned home with nothing,” she said.

NAN reports that many of the returnees, mostly women and children, appeared unkempt and distressed on arrival.

The representatives of NEMA, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, Kano SEMA Executive Secretary, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi-Kubarachi, and the Nigeria Immigration Service, among other stakeholders, were on the ground to receive the returnees.

NAN

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Oil price plunged on Monday to $96 a barrel after Donald
Trump, United States (US) president, said he would postpone any military
strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days.

Brent crude, global oil benchmark, dropped by 9.47 percent
to $96.33 per barrel.

US West Texas Intermediate dipped by 8.99 percent to $89.40
a barrel.

In a Truth Social post earlier today, Trump said the
decision to postpone the military strikes followed “very good and productive
conversations” between the United States and Iran.

Trump’s decision came a day after Iran warned it would
completely close the Strait of Hormuz if Trump carried out his threat to bomb
Tehran’s power plants.

The US president had issued the 48-hour ultimatum on
Saturday, which would have expired on Monday.

On March 12, the US approved a short-term authorisation
permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea.

Scott Bessent, US treasury secretary, said the permit
applies only to the sale of Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products
that are already loaded on vessels.

Petrol prices in Nigeria rose further to record levels on
Monday as the Middle East rages on.

On March 22, Mohammed Idris, minister of information, said
Nigeria was ready to support global stability, particularly in the energy
sector, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

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King Mitchy, the influencer, has opened up about her ordeal
after consuming a substance known as sniper.

The influencer recently took to social media to share a video wherein she described how dangerous it was to consume the insecticide and the toll it took on her body.

king Mitchy advises people not to drink H¥P0 or Sn!P3r after she said she took 1 gallon of oil after taking sniper & had to go for full body detox to get it out of her system 😂 pic.twitter.com/lEwrwabxMH

— D3VID 🐢 (@DurkioWiz) March 23, 2026

“Now, I am totally clean, my blood and everything is clean,
nothing is in my system again,” she said.

Mitchy recalled that despite drinking “one gallon of oil,”
her liver was still affected.

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She thanked God the situation was noticed quickly, and she
underwent what she described as a “super detox,” noting that it was no minor
ordeal.

She also issued a warning to others, urging them not to
attempt such an act.

“No do am ooo, if you’re going through something, send me a
request, let’s talk about it together. Don’t drink hypo or sniper,” she said in
a mixture of English and pidgin.

The controversy began weeks ago after an online clash
between Mitchy and activist VeryDarkMan over her charitable activities,
including a school renovation project she claimed was completed in just six
days.

The situation escalated when VeryDarkMan alleged that Seyi
Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, was secretly funding Mitchy’s
philanthropic efforts — a claim that ignited widespread debate online. Seyi
later denied the allegation.

The drama reached a turning point when an emotional Mitchy
appeared on a live stream and consumed a substance believed to be bleach and
sniper.

Her management initially claimed she had died before later
retracting the death announcement.

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Princess Ntuk Williams, the Nigerian disc jockey better
known as DJ Pretty Play, has completed her bid to set a new world record for
the longest marathon club DJing.

The entertainer began the 288-hour challenge on March 11 at
Bay Lounge in Lagos’s Lekki area and reached the milestone on Monday.

Ahead of the attempt, she described it as a mission to push
beyond limits and showcase the power of discipline and determination.

“I step out with one mission – to push beyond limits and
attempt history. This is more than a challenge; it’s about discipline, passion,
and proving that with determination, anything is possible,” she wrote.

“I’m officially attempting to break the Guinness world
records for the Longest Marathon Club DJ-ing, and every second counts.”

Several celebrities, including film stars Anita Joseph,
Charles Okocha, Ini Edo, and singers D’banj and Slimcase, were spotted cheering
her on during the feat.

The successful attempt came after an earlier try, which
began on March 3, was halted on the third day due to a rule breach.

According to Guinness World Records, a song cannot be
repeated within four hours; she accidentally repeated songs, leading to
disqualification.

“It’s rather unfortunate that I have to restart my 288-hour
DJing attempt. According to GWR guidelines, you can’t repeat a song within four
hours, and it means instant disqualification. So, as it stands, I have been
disqualified and have to start all over,” she said.

Her achievement now awaits official verification from
Guinness World Records.

The current record stands at 10 days and 4 hours — exactly
244 hours and 2 minutes — set by Italy’s DJ Faber Moreira on May 26, 2024.

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Leonid Radvinsky, the CEO of OnlyFans, the adult content
platform, has died at the age of 43.

In a statement released on Monday by the company, the
spokesperson said the Ukrainian-born businessman “passed away peacefully after
a long battle with cancer”. It also asked for privacy for his family.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Leo
Radvinsky. Leo passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer. His
family have requested privacy at this difficult time,” the statement reads.

Radvinsky, who grew up in Chicago, United States, acquired
OnlyFans in 2018 from its UK-based founders and built it into one of the most
profitable digital subscription platforms in the world.

Founded in 2016, OnlyFans allows creators to share videos
and photos behind a paywall, earning through subscriptions, tips, and
personalised content.

While the platform hosts a wide range of material from
fitness tutorials to cooking videos — it became widely known for adult content
and its direct creator-to-fan interaction model.

The site’s popularity surged during the COVID-19 pandemic,
as lockdowns pushed more creators and audiences online.

The boom significantly increased Radvinsky’s wealth, earning
him a spot on Forbes’ annual billionaires list within three years of acquiring
the company.

OnlyFans takes a 20 percent commission from creators’
earnings, a model that has contributed to its rapid financial growth and global
reach.

Leonid Radvinsky, the CEO of OnlyFans, the adult content
platform, has died at the age of 43.

In a statement released on Monday by the company, the
spokesperson said the Ukrainian-born businessman “passed away peacefully after
a long battle with cancer”. It also asked for privacy for his family.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Leo
Radvinsky. Leo passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer. His
family have requested privacy at this difficult time,” the statement reads.

Radvinsky, who grew up in Chicago, United States, acquired
OnlyFans in 2018 from its UK-based founders and built it into one of the most
profitable digital subscription platforms in the world.

Founded in 2016, OnlyFans allows creators to share videos
and photos behind a paywall, earning through subscriptions, tips, and
personalised content.

While the platform hosts a wide range of material from
fitness tutorials to cooking videos — it became widely known for adult content
and its direct creator-to-fan interaction model.

The site’s popularity surged during the COVID-19 pandemic,
as lockdowns pushed more creators and audiences online.

The boom significantly increased Radvinsky’s wealth, earning
him a spot on Forbes’ annual billionaires list within three years of acquiring
the company.

OnlyFans takes a 20 percent commission from creators’
earnings, a model that has contributed to its rapid financial growth and global
reach.

Aprokorepublic

Governor Chukwuma Soludo has appointed Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday by the governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime.

Mrs. Nnake, 39, is from Nawfia in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

She brings over 13 years of experience as a finance and public sector professional, specializing in finance, strategy development, and economic planning.

Most recently, she served as the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in Anambra State, where she led the effective mobilisation, planning, and allocation of state resources to drive socio-economic development.

She also chaired Solution Fun City Limited.Nnake has held key leadership roles on various state boards and initiatives, including the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, the Internal Revenue Service Board, and the Small Business Agency.

She currently serves as the state’s Reform Champion for Ease of Doing Business and as the focal point for Social Investment Programmes, driving reforms aimed at inclusive growth.

She is also the Nigeria Chairperson for the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity Programme.

Before joining the Anambra State government, Nnake worked as a Senior Strategy Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Nigeria, where she managed over 30 client engagements across different sectors and markets.

She contributed significantly to the development of the Anambra Vision 2070 plan.Her earlier career included roles as a Business Analyst at IHS Towers and an Equity Research Analyst at Meristem Securities Limited.

Nnake holds a Master of Business Administration from Lagos Business School, a First-Class Honours degree in Accounting from Benson Idahosa University, and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

She is a member of the ACCA National Advisory Committee, has completed the Implementing Public Policy course at Harvard Kennedy School, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy.

Aprokorepublic

Former Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has condemned a recent congress held by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Our correspondent had reported that the congress held by the Wike-backed group in Jos last Tuesday elected Peter Tongshep, a former chairman of the PDP in Mikang LGA, as the new state chairman of the PDP, alongside 38 other executive members.

The election attracted prominent members of the Wike-aligned faction, including former Minister of Sports Damishi Sango, another former minister, Musa I. Azi, and Board of Trustees members Timothy Golu and Johnbul Shekarau, among others.

In a statement in Jos on Monday, Jang, who is the leader of the PDP in the state, rejected the congress, describing it as “kangaroo” and orchestrated by self-seeking individuals in connivance with undemocratic forces outside the state.

The former governor affirmed that Chief Raymond Dabo remains the authentic chairman of the party’s state chapter, having been duly elected in an INEC-monitored congress.

“It is a well-known and established fact that, at no time, did the State Working Committee of the PDP in Plateau State have any cracks.

“They were duly elected in a well-organised and INEC-monitored congress in accordance with the party’s constitution.

“So, as far as the law and the supporters of the PDP are concerned, there is no reason to organise any congress in the first place; therefore, all actions of those involved in the so-called congress, both legally and publicly, are null and void, and of no effect.

“Plateau is PDP, and PDP is Plateau.

The State Working Committee of the PDP, led by Chairman Chief Raymond Dabo, is the only recognised party executive in the state,” Jang said.

Jang attributed the development to the ongoing national crisis, saying party leaders are working to resolve issues and reposition the PDP for unity and progress.

“We are aware of the ongoing crisis at the national level and, as party leaders, we are doing everything possible to resolve every issue and reposition the party for unity and progress,” he said.

The former governor urged genuine party members to stay united and focus on resolving issues, warning agents of distraction to cease their actions.

“Plateau is PDP, and PDP is Plateau.

The State Working Committee of the PDP, led by Chairman Chief Raymond Dabo, is the only recognised party executive in the state,” the statement signed by Jang’s Media Consultant, Clinton Garuba, added.

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The Federal Government on Monday inaugurated the Governing Board of the National Pension Commission, directing members to uphold corporate governance and safeguard over N28tn in pension assets under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

This was contained in a statement issued by PenCom on Monday.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, described PenCom as “a critical pillar of Nigeria’s financial sector, entrusted with the retirement savings of millions of Nigerians.”

Akume said the inauguration reflects the government’s commitment to building “a pension system that is transparent, resilient, and trusted.”

He described the Board’s responsibility as one of “national importance,” noting that members are expected to provide strategic direction, policy guidance and effective oversight in line with the Pension Reform Act 2014 and other relevant frameworks.

He also cautioned against interference in management duties, stressing that “while the Board is responsible for oversight, Management must be allowed to handle day-to-day operations.”

According to him, any interference in operational matters “would weaken accountability and undermine institutional effectiveness.”

The SGF noted that the pension industry has grown significantly, with assets exceeding N28tn and millions of contributors depending on the CPS for financial security in retirement.

He urged the Board to adopt zero tolerance for misconduct and prioritise strong internal controls, risk management and transparency.

“The actions of the Board must reinforce public confidence in the pension system and assure contributors that their savings are safe, secure, and well managed,” he was quoted in the statement as saying.

Akume added that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to meeting pension obligations, noting that steps have been taken to address outstanding liabilities and ensure retirees receive their benefits “with dignity, certainty, and timeliness.”

He expressed confidence that the Board would provide disciplined governance and deliver on its mandate.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, its Chairman, Opeyemi Agbaje, thanked the President for the appointment, saying members are committed to upholding corporate governance, integrity and strong leadership.

He added that the Board would support national development by leveraging pension funds, particularly in infrastructure, housing and other critical sectors of the economy.

Also speaking, the Director-General of PenCom, Ms Omolola Oloworaran, commended the SGF for providing oversight during the period the commission operated without a board.

Oloworaran said the inauguration was “timely and significant,” as it restores the Board’s oversight function and strengthens governance within the commission.

Oloworaran pledged to work collaboratively with the Board, stressing that “every decision of PenCom Board must ultimately deliver tangible benefits to contributors and retirees.”

She expressed confidence in a strong partnership between management and the Board in advancing the objectives of the pension industry.

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