Author: Platform Times Newspaper

.. Faces Three-Count Charge Under Cybercrimes Act, Communications Act The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the charges were filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, February 16, 2026. According to court documents sighted by our correspondent, El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful interception of communications, conspiracy, and acts deemed prejudicial to national security. In Count One, the Federal Government alleged that the former governor admitted during a…

An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has been abducted by suspected terrorists in Ekiti State, with a disturbing video circulating online showing the victim being brutally beaten by his captors. The footage, which surfaced on Sunday, shows heavily armed men flogging the officer with a cane while ordering him to face forward. The visibly distressed officer was heard pleading for mercy as the assault continued. “I don dey look. Sorry, I use Allah beg you,” the victim said in pidgin English while crying. The incident was brought to public attention by social commentator and activist, Rinu…

No fewer than 14 persons, mostly women, have lost their lives after a boat conveying over 100 wedding guests capsized in Kebbi State. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday at Gumbi village in Yauri Local Government Area of the state as the victims were returning from a wedding ceremony. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the passengers had accompanied a bride to her husband’s residence in Gwarzo village, Ngaski Local Government Area, when the wooden boat overturned mid-journey, throwing occupants into the river. Residents said more than 100 passengers were crammed into the ill-fated vessel at the time of the accident. Of…

President Bola Tinubu on Monday reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to end banditry and terrorism across the country, assuring Nigerians that ongoing security operations would ultimately restore peace and stability. The President gave the assurance in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, during a one-day visit to commission projects executed by Governor Umaru Fintiri. Tinubu, who acknowledged the security challenges confronting parts of the country, expressed confidence in the capacity of the Armed Forces to defeat criminal elements threatening national security. “We are grateful to the Nigerian Armed Forces for their commitment to liberating Nigeria from banditry and insurgency. Together, we will…

… 165 Confirmed Cases Recorded Across Nine States In Five Weeks Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba Account For 79% Of Total Infections … 135 Patients On Treatment, 110 Under Surveillance Nationwide … Young Adults Aged 21–30 Most Affected Daud Olatunji No fewer than nine health workers have been infected with Lassa fever as the disease claimed 31 lives across Nigeria within five weeks, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has disclosed. The agency, in its latest Lassa fever situation report for 2026, confirmed 165 cases out of 754 suspected infections recorded so far this year, with the outbreak spreading across nine…

The Office of the National Security Adviser has denied allegations that it procured a deadly chemical substance, thallium sulphate, describing the claim as false and unfounded. The denial followed a letter written by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, alleging that the ONSA imported about 10 kilogrammes of the highly toxic compound from a supplier in Poland. In a response signed by Brig.-Gen. O.M. Adesuyi on behalf of the NSA, the office said it had neither procured nor initiated any process to purchase the substance. “ONSA has neither procured nor initiated any process…

The House of Representatives has directed the Offices of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Auditor-General for the Federation to prepare and submit the consolidated financial statements and audited accounts of the Federal Government for 2023, 2024 and 2025 on or before October 2026. The directive was issued on Monday by the House Committee on Public Accounts following an investigative hearing at the National Assembly, where lawmakers scrutinised persistent delays in financial reporting and raised concerns over weaknesses in the country’s public financial management system. Chairman of the committee, Mr Bamidele Salam, expressed displeasure over what he described as…

The Peace Initiative Committee, Ogun Central, has intensified its campaign against cultism, drug abuse and youth violence with a public lecture and a mass peace walk held in Abeokuta to mark its first anniversary. The events, held on Saturday at the June 12 Cultural Centre and across major streets in the state capital, drew youths, security agencies and community stakeholders who called for collective action to address rising social vices in the state. Speaking at the anniversary lecture, Chairman of the committee, Comrade Abioro Micheal, popularly known as Akoko Rugged, said the group had in the last one year facilitated…

The President of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and the Sultan  of Sokoto, Alhaj Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims across the country to begin the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan 1447AH on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The directive was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and signed by the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu. The Sultan, who is also the President-General of the NSCIA, urged Muslims to look out for the crescent immediately after sunset on Tuesday…

The Federal Government has repatriated 13 Nigerians rescued from a human trafficking syndicate in Ghana, as authorities intensify efforts to curb irregular migration and transnational exploitation. The returnees were received in Lagos on Sunday following coordinated intervention by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra. In a statement issued by the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the commission disclosed that the victims were facilitated back to Nigeria after being rescued from traffickers in Ghana. Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the Nigerian High Commission for ensuring…