Author: Platform Times Newspaper

No fewer than 30 suspected armed bandits were killed in a fierce gun battle with local vigilantes in the Dansadau District of Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State, on Thursday. The clash, which occurred around 2pm on April 4, followed an ambush laid by a local security outfit known as Yansakai, who had received intelligence that the assailants were en route to launch an attack on a nearby village. According to counter-terrorism expert, Zagazola Makama, who cited intelligence sources, the vigilantes intercepted the armed group at the outskirts of the community, triggering a violent exchange of gunfire. “A fierce gun…

Popular Nigerian crossdresser and socialite, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has revealed how he was scammed of $990 by a man he met online. Bobrisky made the disclosure on his Instagram page, where he expressed shock over falling victim to a romance scam despite being cautious. According to him, the scammer had chatted with him for months, claiming to be based in the United States before later saying he had relocated to Canada. The individual reportedly called him regularly to gain his trust. “He came to my DM, and we got talking for months. He called me almost every…

The Nigeria Police Force has warned against a planned nationwide protest scheduled for Monday, April 7, describing it as “ill-timed” and potentially disruptive to the National Police Day celebration. The protest, organised by the Take-It-Back Movement, is set to demand the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and an end to what the group described as the “military-style emergency rule” in Rivers State under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In a statement on Sunday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said while the police are not against citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, the timing of the protest raised concerns. “The Nigeria…

The Nigerian Correctional Service, Bayelsa State Command, has dismissed reports alleging that 15 former domestic staff of ex-First Lady, Patience Jonathan, are being illegally detained at the Okaka Custodial Centre. There had been widespread claims that the former aides have been held since 2019 over accusations of stealing luxury items, including seven gold bangles and jewellery, five Samsung air conditioners, two sets of upholstery chairs, and six Samsung flat-screen televisions, all reportedly valued at N200 million. The suspects were said to be facing 18-count charges ranging from conspiracy to commit murder and felony, to burglary. However, reacting to the reports…

The Nigeria Police Force has withdrawn the invitation earlier extended to the 16th Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, in connection with the violent incident that marred the Sallah celebration in Kano State on March 30, 2025. The Force had initially summoned the monarch to provide his account of events that led to the breakdown of law and order during the celebration. However, in a statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, directed the withdrawal of the invitation. According to Adejobi, the decision followed counsel from…

40 persons were killed and about 1000 displaced in last week’s attack on Hurti, Manguna District of Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau. Mr Maren Aradong, the Village Head of Hurti, said this when Mr Samuel Jatau, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), led other government officials on an assessment visit to the community on Sunday in Jos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on April 2, gunmen attacked Hurti, Josho, Daffo, and other communities of the locality. Gov. Caleb Mutfwang had described the recent attacks and killings in some parts of the state as a…

A public affairs analyst and Nigerian in the diaspora, Abanikanda Olumoro, has urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the nomination of Otunba Femi Pedro as an ambassadorial nominee representing Lagos State, describing the decision as unjust and unfair to the indigenes of the state. In a statement titled “President Tinubu, Please Femi Pedro Cannot Represent Lagos State as Ambassador,” Olumoro, based in the United Kingdom, claimed that Pedro, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos, is not an indigene of the state and should not be appointed to represent it in any official capacity at the federal level. The federal government…

Legendary Nigerian musician, Evangelist Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Obey-Fabiyi, widely known as Commander Ebenezer Obey, has expressed deep gratitude to God for keeping him alive despite facing numerous health challenges throughout his life. Speaking at his 83rd birthday celebration on Thursday, April 3, Obey recounted the numerous times he had been falsely reported dead, a painful reminder of his health battles. “I can never forget the health challenges I faced at various points in my life, which led to numerous surgeries. I thank God for granting me victory over those trials. I have been rumoured dead more than 12 times,…

The Federal Government has issued a directive mandating all Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts of Nigerian tertiary institutions to publish key institutional data on their official websites by May 31, 2025, in a bid to promote transparency and good governance. The Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu-Tunji Alausa, emphasized that the move is designed to enhance accountability within the country’s higher education system. According to a statement from the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the institutions are required to disclose detailed information regarding their budgetary allocations, research grants, and student population. The Ministry’s directive mandates that institutions publish…

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed strong optimism that he will be granted bail by the end of April 2025, after spending four years in detention. Kanu made this statement during a visit by the President-General of the Igbo Community Association (ICA), Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja, where he is being held. According to a statement issued by Ezenekwe, Kanu appeared upbeat and in good health during the meeting, surprising many given the difficult circumstances of his detention. Ezenekwe described Kanu as “healthier…