Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Panic gripped parts of Kwara State on Wednesday night as suspected terrorists launched coordinated attacks on villages in Ifelodun and Edu local government areas, forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes in search of safety. Sources within the affected communities said the assailants struck late at night, targeting Budesu and Ahun in Ifelodun and Bishewa in Edu. Eyewitnesses described the attackers as heavily armed and operating in large numbers, suggesting a planned operation, possibly aimed at abduction. One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, recounted the terrifying ordeal: “The bandits came at night and started shooting indiscriminately. Everyone ran…

The Federal Government has attributed the delayed payment of February 2026 salaries in some ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to shortfalls in personnel cost allocations, confirming that other federal workers were paid on time. The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) said the affected MDAs include the Federal Ministry of Steel Development, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, National Rural Electrification Agency, Kamuku National Park, and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria. In a statement signed by the OAGF’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa, the office said: “The affected MDAs have been directed…

As the world marks World Kidney Day, patients living with chronic kidney disease are appealing to the Federal Government to make dialysis treatment free or more widely accessible, warning that the rising cost of care is driving many Nigerians into financial despair. This year’s World Kidney Day theme, “Kidney Health for All – Caring for People, Protecting the Planet”, highlights the urgent need to protect kidney patients while addressing barriers to treatment. In 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved an 80% subsidy on kidney dialysis across federal hospitals, reducing the cost from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000 per session. However, implementation has…

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has assured that Nigerian citizens in Iran who wish to leave the country are being safely escorted across the Armenian border, as the ongoing regional tensions intensify. In a statement posted on X, the commission said the initiative is aimed at ensuring a “smooth and secure passage for those wishing to leave the country.” It emphasized that no Nigerian has so far been directly affected by the conflict, with government officials stationed at the border to assist all evacuees. “The Federal Government is vigilant and is effectively responding to the safety and well-being of…

… North-West, North-Central Hit Hardest As Terror  Escalates …Kwara Records Deadliest Attack In Single Da Daud Olatunji Nigeria recorded one of its deadliest months in recent memory as armed bandits and terrorists killed 624 people and abducted 419 others across the country in February, according to a new security tracker report by the Research and Data Department of HumAngle. The report, obtained by PLATFORM TIMES on Wednesday, paints a grim picture of insecurity, revealing that terror-related attacks and organized armed violence now account for more than half of all recorded incidents nationwide. A total of 136 violent incidents were documented,…

At least one Nigerian has been injured following a series of missile and drone attacks launched by Iran on the United Arab Emirates, authorities in the Gulf nation have confirmed. The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed on Tuesday that the strikes were part of retaliatory actions by Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, after allegations that the UAE allowed the United States to use its military bases for operations targeting Tehran. According to the ministry, the attacks, which began on February 28, involved a barrage of ballistic missiles, drones and cruise missiles directed at the country. The ministry…

A Norwegian court has sentenced Nigerian footballer, Daniel Daga, to six months’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of carrying out a sexual act without consent. Daga, a 19-year-old midfielder who plays for Norwegian top-flight club Molde FK, was convicted on Tuesday following a trial over an incident reported to police in April 2025. According to Norwegian broadcaster TV 2, the court also ordered the young footballer to pay 10,000 Norwegian kroner as legal costs. The charge was brought under Section 297 of the Norwegian Penal Code, which criminalises sexual activity carried out without consent. Although details of the incident were…

The Central Bank of Nigeria has directed banks and other financial institutions to deploy automated anti-money laundering solutions capable of detecting suspicious transactions in real time as part of efforts to strengthen financial crime monitoring in the country. The directive was contained in a circular dated March 10, 2026, titled “Issuance of Baseline Standards for Automated Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Solution for Financial Institutions in Nigeria.” The circular, signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Akinwunmi Olubukola, and Olubunmi Ayodele-Oni for the Director of the Compliance Department, applies to deposit money banks, mobile money operators, international money transfer operators, payment service…

The Arewa Youths have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately remove the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, over what they described as worsening insecurity across northern Nigeria. The group said the minister had failed to effectively address the escalating wave of terrorism, banditry and kidnappings in the region. Speaking during an interview aired on News Century TV on Wednesday, the President of the group, Abdul Danbature, alleged that the number of military casualties recorded under Musa’s leadership was unprecedented. Danbature claimed that more than 100 soldiers were killed by terrorists within the past week alone, while over 250…

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed an amendment to the Electoral Act, proposing stiff penalties for individuals who maintain membership in more than one political party. The amendment, adopted during plenary, prescribes a fine of N10m, a two-year prison term, or both for offenders found guilty of dual party membership. The lawmakers said the move was aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework and addressing the persistent issue of politicians belonging to multiple political parties simultaneously. The proposed amendment introduces three new subsections to Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which regulates political party membership. According to the new…