Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The United States has withdrawn most of its military personnel deployed to Nigeria following the completion of a series of joint counter-terrorism operations targeting Islamic State-linked insurgents, according to reports. The withdrawal comes after months of coordinated operations between US forces and the Nigerian military aimed at degrading the operational capacity of the Islamic State West Africa Province and other extremist groups operating in the North-East. Although details of the deployment and the exact number of troops involved were not disclosed, the move signals the conclusion of the latest phase of military cooperation between both countries in the fight against…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has obtained a court order permitting it to detain former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, for 14 days as investigations into allegations of certificate forgery intensify. The anti-graft agency secured the remand warrant shortly after Nnaji’s arrest on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where he was intercepted upon arrival from Enugu aboard a chartered flight. A source within the commission disclosed that the order allows investigators to interrogate the former minister for an initial two weeks, with the possibility of seeking an extension if necessary.…

…Warns Starvation Fueling Bandit Recruitment … WFP Warns Millions Risk Losing Lifesaving Aid Daud Olatunji The United Nations World Food Programme has raised fresh alarm over Nigeria’s worsening food crisis, revealing that more than 17 million people across nine conflict-affected northern states are battling severe hunger, with growing starvation now pushing some desperate residents into joining armed groups in exchange for food or income. The UN agency appealed for $89 million to sustain emergency food and nutrition assistance, as well as critical humanitarian logistics, over the next six months, warning that escalating insecurity, shrinking donor funding and restricted humanitarian access…

A coalition of stakeholders in Ogun West Senatorial District has rejected the governorship aspiration of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, insisting that he is not a “true son of Yewaland” and therefore should not represent the district in the 2027 governorship race. The group, operating under the banner of Ogun West Concerned Stakeholders, made its position known at a press conference held on Thursday in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area, where it also endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant, Ladi Adebutu. Speaking on behalf of the group, Adetunji Akeem Adedeji  said Ogun West’s longstanding quest…

The Federal Government has secured 1,721 terrorism-related convictions since the commencement of its Mass Trial Programme in October 2017, the Office of the National Security Adviser has said. The Director of Legal Services at the ONSA, Zakari Mijinyawa, disclosed this on Thursday during a joint briefing by spokespersons of security, defence and law enforcement agencies in Abuja. Mijinyawa said the programme, coordinated by the ONSA in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, the judiciary and security agencies, had completed 10 phases of terrorism trials. He said the initiative had not only secured convictions but also ensured that suspects were…

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere, has urged the Federal Government to amend the State Police Bill before the National Assembly to place policing on the Concurrent Legislative List, arguing that the current proposal grants excessive control to the Federal Government. The group said state governments must be given greater constitutional authority over policing to effectively tackle the country’s worsening insecurity. Afenifere made the call in a communiqué issued after its meeting held at the residence of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State. The communiqué was read by the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi. While commending President…

The United Nations’ World Food Programme has warned that worsening hunger in northern Nigeria is forcing some desperate residents to join bandit groups in exchange for food or income, as conflict, displacement and shrinking humanitarian assistance deepen the region’s food crisis. The agency disclosed this on Thursday, saying communities across parts of northern Nigeria had reported incidents of individuals enlisting with armed groups as a survival strategy amid rising hunger and economic hardship. According to the WFP, more than 17 million Nigerians are currently experiencing crisis, emergency or catastrophic levels of food insecurity, with conditions in some conflict-ridden northern states…

The Gombe State Police Command has rescued an eight-year-old boy abducted in Akko Local Government Area of the state and arrested four suspects allegedly involved in the crime. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, saying the victim was rescued unharmed and reunited with his family after a coordinated intelligence-led operation. According to the police, the child’s father, Muhammadu Nabadara, reported the incident at the Akko Divisional Police Headquarters on June 28 after the boy left home around 6:30 a.m. on June 27 and failed to return. Abdullahi said detectives immediately launched an…

A senior consultant physician, identified simply as Dr. Ibrahim, has died after collapsing minutes after arriving at a private hospital in Kano State to attend to elderly patients who had waited for hours for medical consultation. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident occurred on Saturday at Arewa Surgery Hospital in the Hotoro area of Kano, where the doctor had reportedly answered an urgent call to replace another consultant who was unable to keep scheduled appointments. The incident was recounted by Suleiman Harbo, an aide to the Governor of Jigawa State, who said he witnessed the tragedy while accompanying his elderly…

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a midnight attack by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province on a Forward Operating Base in Mairari, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, killing scores of insurgents, according to the Nigerian Army. The military, however, said two soldiers and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed during the fierce exchange of gunfire. In a statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, the attack occurred at about 11:25 p.m. on Tuesday when the terrorists launched an assault…