Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Nigerian Army has arrested two suspects in connection with the Christmas Eve bombing of a mosque at Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, which left five worshippers dead and 32 others injured. The attack, carried out by a suicide bomber who detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) inside the mosque, has been linked to terrorist groups including Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), Ansaru, and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), according to counter-insurgency sources monitored by the publication, Zagazola Makama. Investigations revealed that a Boko Haram cell led by notorious IED expert Munzir Abu Ziyadah had planned multiple attacks across Maiduguri, preparing…

The Lagos State Government has arrested no fewer than 45 beggars during coordinated enforcement and mop-up operations across major parts of the metropolis, reiterating its zero-tolerance stance on street begging. The arrests, carried out by environmental enforcement teams, took place in Alimosho, Agege and Oshodi as part of routine compliance activities aimed at restoring order and safety to public spaces. The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the development on Tuesday through his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, noting that the exercise was part of sustained efforts by the state to rid roads and public…

At least two persons have been confirmed dead, while several others sustained severe injuries following a fireworks explosion during a Christmas carnival in Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. The tragic incident occurred at the weekend near the main stage of the carnival venue, throwing the festive gathering into panic as revellers scampered for safety amid deafening blasts and thick smoke. Eyewitnesses said cartons containing fireworks, allegedly meant to be disposed of at the venue, suddenly exploded, triggering chaos and leaving many guests with severe burns and deep cuts. One of the victims, identified simply as Ugochi, was…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State residents will not repeat what he described as past political mistakes ahead of the 2027 general elections, signalling an early commencement of political mobilisation in the state. Wike made the remark on Tuesday during a visit to Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he announced that political activities would formally begin in January 2026. The immediate past governor of the oil-rich state cautioned the people against making political choices they could later regret, warning that such decisions often come with consequences. “We won’t make…

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that the Federal Government will proceed with the implementation of the new tax laws from January 1, 2026, declaring that there is “no going back” despite mounting objections and public debates across the country. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the President said the reforms were not designed to impose additional tax burdens on Nigerians but to harmonise the tax system, eliminate inefficiencies and strengthen the nation’s fiscal framework. Tinubu acknowledged that the new tax regime has generated agitations in some quarters but maintained that no substantial issue had been raised to justify suspending or…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and a co-defendant at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing of their bail applications. The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, gave the order on Tuesday after declining to grant the defendants bail on oral application by their counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN). Justice Nwite held that although the court has the discretion to grant bail, it would be contrary to the interest of justice to do so without hearing from the…

A former Deputy Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Lukman Atobatele, on Tuesday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal crises and lack of clear direction within the opposition party. His defection followed earlier defection of a former  member of the PDP from Ijebu-North, Rasheed Kashamu who defected to APC from PDP. Announcing his defection, Atobatele, who represents Abeokuta South State Constituency I, disclosed  his defection in a letter read during plenary by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide. According to the letter, the lawmaker attributed his decision…

Ogun State has taken the lead among implementing states under the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up (NFWP-SU), recording the formation of 2,000 Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) within six weeks of full implementation. The achievement was disclosed in a statement issued by the State Project Coordinator, Mrs Bolanle Fadairo, who said the milestone was validated by figures published on the National Project Management Information System (PMIS). Fadairo described the feat as a strong indication of Ogun’s institutional readiness and firm commitment to women-focused development under the scale-up phase of the project. She attributed the rapid attainment of the target to the…

No fewer than 320 indigent residents of Olorunda and neighbouring communities have benefitted from a food distribution exercise organised by the Orunda Educational and Humanitarian Foundation, as part of efforts to ease hardship and make the New Year celebrations joyous for the less privileged. The outreach, held in Olorunda town, drew beneficiaries from Aiyetoro, Idi-Ori, Ilara, Keesan, Imeko and other surrounding communities. The foundation, established by the Orunda of Olorunda, HRH Oba Joshua Olusegun Eniitan Phillips-Ogunsola, said the initiative was in line with its long-standing commitment to humanitarian service and community development. Speaking at the event, Oba Phillips-Ogunsola explained that…

Barely two weeks after the Labour Party (LP) in Ogun State reached out to the Chief Promoter of the Alternative Movement, Otunba Segun Showunmi, with an offer to hand him its governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) has also moved to court the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant. Leaders of the ADP, led by its Ogun State Chairperson, Yeye Olufunke Olarenwaju, visited Showunmi at his residence in the Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta, on Monday, where they formally invited him to join the party and fly its flag in the next governorship election.…