Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Today on Platform Times Newspaper, 11th August, 2026. Visit www.platformtimes.com.ng for many more stories.

Daud Olatunji Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division, operating under the Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA, have arrested a suspected commander of a kidnapping syndicate in Enugu State and recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition from a forest hideout. The suspect was arrested during an intelligence-led operation conducted in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services in the Gariki General Area of Enugu State. The Army also recovered $1,000, N785,900 and other items allegedly linked to the activities of the criminal network. The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division,…

…Coalition Of 100 Groups Demands Immediate Withdrawal Of 2025 Amendment ….Warns Online Sales, Advertising, Sponsorship Of Vaping Products Could Weaken Safeguards Daud Olatunji A coalition of more than 100 civil society organisations and public health advocates has urged the National Assembly to withdraw the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, warning that some provisions could weaken existing safeguards and increase children’s exposure to tobacco and nicotine products. The coalition, known as the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community, raised the alarm in Abuja on Monday, saying the proposed amendment could create regulatory loopholes for emerging products, including electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco…

The Nigerian Bar Association and the United Nations Children’s Fund have launched a N140 million partnership to expand free legal representation for vulnerable children and children in conflict with the law across Nigeria. The initiative, unveiled in Abuja on Monday, seeks to mobilise lawyers nationwide to provide pro bono services to children who are victims of abuse, exploitation, trafficking, neglect and child marriage, as well as those caught up in criminal proceedings. The partnership comes against the backdrop of concerns over children being detained without legal representation, delays in justice delivery, weak referral mechanisms and limited use of diversion and…

Daud Olatunji The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a 14-day ultimatum to authorities of 21 universities over alleged failure to implement provisions of the 2025 agreement reached with the Federal Government. The union warned that the affected institutions could be plunged into industrial action if the outstanding issues are not resolved before the expiration of the ultimatum. The decision was reached at ASUU’s National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9, 2026. In a communiqué signed by the union’s President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, ASUU expressed concern over what…

Fawaz Adebisi The founder of the Bakinson Movement for Yayi, Aare Olarenwaju Kazem Bakinson, has declared support for Senator Olamilekan Adeola’s 2027 Ogun State governorship ambition, citing the lawmaker’s alleged generosity and development interventions as major reasons for his backing. Bakinson, who is also the Aare Mayegun of Owu Kingdom and Aare Adeen of Owu Muslims, spoke on Monday at a prayer and thanksgiving programme organised to mark Adeola’s 57th birthday at the Owu Club. The event attracted Muslim clerics, political supporters and members of groups affiliated with the Bakinson Movement for Yayi. Bakinson said he organised the prayer because…

Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, has dismissed reports that the party is negotiating an alliance with other political parties ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. Aregbesola, who spoke at an ADC solidarity rally in Ejigbo, Osun State, also rejected speculation that the party’s governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, would step down for another candidate. The former governor’s declaration came amid growing political realignments in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with major political figures openly taking positions on the contest. There had been reports on social media that the ADC…

… NCDC Raises Alarm As Outbreak Spreads Across 23 States, 116 LGAs; Fatality Rate Climbs To 23.7 Ayomide Awe Nigeria has recorded 1,000 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 237 deaths since the beginning of 2026, with 53 healthcare workers among those infected, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has said. The latest figures underscore the continuing danger posed by the viral disease, particularly to frontline health workers who are exposed while caring for infected patients. The NCDC disclosed this in its latest Lassa fever situation report for epidemiological week 30, covering July 20 to 26, 2026.…

The European Union has dismissed reports that it rejected an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission to observe Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Gautier Mignot, said on Monday that reports suggesting the bloc had declined INEC’s invitation were inaccurate and speculative. Mignot said the EU received INEC’s invitation in April and subsequently communicated its decision to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission to Nigeria for the elections. According to him, the planned mission will comprise between two and four independent electoral experts. The clarification followed reports that the…

Daud Olatunji Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State accounted for about 43 per cent of the N4.52tn domestic debt owed by Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT as of March 2026, according to data released by the Debt Management Office. The latest figures contained in the DMO’s Domestic Debt Data Report showed that the domestic debt stock of the states and FCT rose to N4.523tn at the end of the first quarter of 2026, up from N4.360tn recorded in December 2025. The increase represents a 3.61 per cent rise in three months, indicating a continued expansion in subnational…