Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Convener of a political and development advocacy group, the United Premier Movement (UPM), Chief Olalekan  Shoyinka, popularly known as Ayinla Egba, has commended the Executive Chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government, Hon. Balogun Olaniyi Afeez (BOA), for flagging off the rehabilitation of the 1.266-kilometre Isale-Oja Kuto Road and bridge project. The commendation was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Convener of the group, who described the intervention as timely and people-focused. Shoyinka noted that the project addresses the long-standing infrastructural challenges that have plagued residents, traders and commuters in the area for over two decades, particularly…

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on the Nigerian military and security agencies to intensify offensive operations against terrorists, insisting that security forces must “take the war” to insurgents rather than wait to be attacked. The monarch made the appeal on Wednesday night while announcing the end of Ramadan and declaring Friday as Eid-el-Fitr. His remarks followed Monday’s deadly bomb explosions in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, which left at least 23 people dead and over 100 others injured. The coordinated attacks struck a busy market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the…

The House of Representatives has warned that Nigeria may be plunged into another round of petrol scarcity within the next 48 hours if urgent steps are not taken to address disruptions in the fuel supply chain. The Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Ikenga Ugochinyere, raised the alarm on Thursday during a press briefing at the National Assembly in Abuja, describing the situation as a looming crisis capable of worsening the hardship faced by Nigerians. Ugochinyere said findings from the committee’s oversight revealed that the country was already facing critical bottlenecks that could trigger nationwide fuel shortages, long queues…

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has issued a stern warning to residents aiding insurgents, declaring that collaborators with Boko Haram will be treated as traitors and decisively dealt with amid renewed attacks in the state. In a statewide broadcast on Thursday in Maiduguri, Zulum attributed the recent spike in violence to intensified military operations that have dislodged insurgents from their enclaves, forcing them to infiltrate civilian communities. He described the development as “deeply concerning,” but maintained that security agencies remained in firm control of the overall situation. “The recent spike in activity by these criminal elements is a direct consequence…

Nigeria has emerged as the country with the highest increase in terrorism-related deaths globally, despite an overall decline in such fatalities worldwide, the 2026 Global Terrorism Index has revealed. The report, published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, ranked Nigeria fourth among countries most impacted by terrorism, noting a sharp deterioration in the country’s security situation. According to the index, terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria rose by 46 per cent in 2025 to 750, representing the largest increase recorded globally within the period under review. The report attributed about 80 per cent of the fatalities to activities of Islamic State…

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has declared that he has no regrets over decisions taken during his tenure, despite facing multiple criminal charges. Malami made the assertion shortly after regaining freedom from custody, vowing to vigorously defend himself against allegations of money laundering and other offences brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The ex-minister is standing trial alongside his wife, Asabe, and son, Abdulaziz, on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged financial crimes. The defendants, however, have pleaded not guilty. Speaking in an interview with DCL Hausa on Wednesday, Malami…

A 27-year-old Nigerian student has been arrested in Umbilo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, after he was allegedly found in possession of cocaine valued at about N49 million. The suspect, whose identity was yet to be disclosed as of press time, was apprehended on Monday by a joint team of the Metro Police Tactical Support Unit, Metro Police Task Team and the South African Police Service KwaZulu-Natal Counter Narcotics Unit. Authorities said the suspect was intercepted as he exited his vehicle, during which operatives discovered high-purity cocaine concealed in a sock. A subsequent search of his residence led to the recovery of…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Muslims in Nigeria to uphold the virtues of unity, patriotism, and compassion as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the Ramadan fast. The President, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, congratulated Muslims on successfully completing the holy month, urging them to sustain its spiritual lessons beyond the festivities. Tinubu emphasised that the values of discipline, sacrifice, and devotion cultivated during Ramadan should translate into renewed commitment to national cohesion and peaceful coexistence. He said, “We have a lot to draw from the…

The Federal Government has signed a fresh agreement with the United Kingdom to facilitate the deportation of failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers and convicted criminals back to Nigeria. The deal was formalised by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, during the official visit of President Bola Tinubu to Britain, according to a statement issued by the UK Home Office on Thursday. Under the agreement, British authorities will be able to repatriate Nigerians who have exhausted their asylum claims, as well as those convicted of criminal offences or found to have violated immigration rules.…

The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has called on political stakeholders to desist from mocking a member of the House of Representatives, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, over his renewed governorship ambition, insisting that the lawmaker’s contributions to public service merit commendation. The monarch, in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, described Isiaka as a “disciplined and community-driven leader” whose track record in both public and private sectors has positioned him as a key political figure in Ogun West and the state at large. Isiaka, who represents Yewa North/Imeko-Afon…