Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A faction of Boko Haram insurgents has reportedly executed more than seven captives who attempted to escape from their hideout in Borno State, in what sources described as a chilling escalation of brutality in the North-East. The victims, said to be among dozens of abducted civilians held by the Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad faction, were killed on Tuesday evening after their escape attempt failed. Sources familiar with the incident told PLATFORM TIMES that the executions were carried out in the presence of other captives, including women and children, to instil fear and deter further escape attempts. It was gathered that…

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday convicted and sentenced a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to a cumulative 75 years’ imprisonment over ₦33.8bn fraud linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects. Trial judge, James Omotosho, found Mamman guilty on all 12 counts of conspiracy and money laundering filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The court ordered that the sentences run consecutively, resulting in a total jail term of 75 years. Mamman was, however, convicted and sentenced in absentia after failing to appear in court for the judgment and previous proceedings. Justice Omotosho held…

President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that Nigeria will spend an estimated $11.6bn on debt servicing in 2026, warning that the burden could significantly constrain investments in key sectors of the economy. Tinubu made this known on Tuesday while speaking at the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The President said nearly half of the country’s projected revenue for 2026 would be committed to servicing debt obligations under the current global financial system. He lamented that rising debt costs were diverting funds away from critical sectors…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed concern over low tax compliance among residents of the nation’s capital, warning that inadequate revenue generation could undermine ongoing infrastructure development. Wike raised the alarm on Tuesday while inspecting key projects, including the Karsana estate access roads and the Dei-Dei to Life Camp road in Abuja. The minister said the FCT administration was grappling with financial constraints, noting that allocations from the federation account were insufficient to meet basic obligations such as salary payments. He stressed that improved internally generated revenue, particularly through tax compliance, had become critical to…

Fresh controversy has erupted in Nigeria’s political space following allegations that about ₦800bn in public funds may have been channelled into the campaign machinery of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. The claim, which has triggered widespread reactions across political and civic circles, has intensified calls for transparency and accountability from the ruling All Progressives Congress. Although the allegation has yet to be officially substantiated, analysts and stakeholders say the sheer magnitude of the figure involved makes it a matter that cannot be ignored or dismissed as mere political rhetoric. Public affairs commentators argue that if…

Zainab Abioye Mohammed Hayatu-deen, a presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress, has unveiled a series of tough measures aimed at tackling terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across Nigeria if elected president.  In a post shared on X, Hayatu-deen said his administration would immediately designate violent criminal groups as terrorist organisations, prosecute kidnappers under terrorism laws and dismantle financial networks funding insecurity. He said the country’s security crisis was deeply connected to its economic challenges, noting that rising poverty, unemployment and violence continued to reinforce each other across the nation. “When farmers cannot reach their fields, food prices rise. When traders…

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, has called for strengthened collaboration between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and media organisations in the state to enhance voter education and deepen public awareness ahead of forthcoming electoral activities. Agboke made the appeal on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Akure studio of Fresh FM, where he met with the station’s General Manager, Mr. Dokun Ladele, alongside members of INEC’s management team in the state. The visit focused on key electoral programmes, including Phase III of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, preparations for the Ondo…

The aspiration of the All Progressives Congress consensus candidate for Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, has gained momentum following endorsements by party leaders and traditional rulers across the constituency. Party stalwarts from Ifo and Ewekoro Local Government Areas said the consensus arrangement that produced Adeleye reflected internal democracy, inclusiveness and fairness within the party. The endorsement came as traditional rulers, including the Olu of Itori and the Olorile of Orile-Ifo, offered royal blessings to the candidate during separate visits, expressing confidence that her emergence would ensure broader representation for the people. Speaking at stakeholders’ meetings held in both councils,…

…Boko Haram, ISWAP Allegedly Used Satellite Internet To Coordinate Attacks In North-East …Army Says Insurgents Rely On Satellite Internet For Coordination Daud Olatunji with Agency Report Nigerian troops operating in the North-East have intercepted more than 400 Starlink satellite internet devices allegedly being used by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters to coordinate attacks and sustain their operations across the region. The interception was carried out by troops of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), during intensified intelligence-driven offensives targeting terrorist logistics and communication networks in Borno and adjoining theatres of operation. The Sector Commander,…

The Borno State Government has introduced a compulsory oath-taking ritual involving the Qur’an as a final step in the reintegration of thousands of repentant terrorists into society. A former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in the state, Zuwaira Gambo, disclosed that the measure forms a critical component of the state’s deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme aimed at preventing ex-fighters from returning to insurgency. Gambo, who spoke during an interview on News Central Television, said the oath is intended to serve as both a spiritual and psychological deterrent against recidivism. She explained that the reintegration process, often referred to as…