Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Former House of Representatives member, Farouk Lawan, has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, setting his sights on a political comeback ahead of the 2027 general elections. Lawan, who represented Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency between 1999 and 2015, officially joined the ruling party on Saturday at a ceremony held in Shanono Local Government Area, where he received his APC membership card. The defection ceremony, presided over by the APC Chairman of Shanono LGA, Ilyas Sheme, drew a large turnout of party faithful and community leaders who described Lawan’s return to active politics as “a major boost”…

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, has identified the growing involvement of informants and the recruitment of local youths by criminal gangs as key factors fueling the rising cases of kidnapping in the state. Speaking at a press briefing in Ilorin on Friday, Ojo said the kidnappers have devised new strategies, luring young boys with money and promises of quick gains to help them identify potential victims. “Yes, definitely, they entice them. They have cheap money to give. That’s what they do — they promise, they give, they entice,” Ojo said. “We discovered that most of the problems…

The management of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, has expelled three students for unlawful possession of firearms during the institution’s recent Students’ Union Government (SUG) election. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael Awoke, announced the expulsion over the weekend during the inauguration of the newly elected SUG executives at the university’s main campus. Awoke said the decision followed the students’ arrest by the police for allegedly bringing guns and live ammunition to the election venue, an act he described as “a grave affront to academic integrity and campus safety.” According to him, the suspects not only attempted to scare away voters but…

The Imo State Police Command has detained three of its officers after a viral video surfaced online allegedly showing them engaging in cult-related activities. The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Saturday, identifying the affected personnel as Inspector Obinna Peter, Corporal Amaechi Augustine, and Corporal Ejikeme Victor. According to Okoye, the officers have been placed in custody as investigations into their alleged involvement in cultism and other unprofessional conduct intensify. “The conduct displayed in the viral video is highly unprofessional and does not reflect the discipline, ethics, and values of the Nigeria Police Force,”Okoye…

At least 17 people have been killed in a violent confrontation between suspected bandits and illegal gold miners in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The bloody clash, which began on Thursday, reportedly started after a notorious bandit kingpin attempted to extort miners operating at an illegal gold site in the area. Eyewitnesses said the miners resisted the demand and mobilised to confront the armed gang, killing the bandit leader in the process. His associates later launched a reprisal attack that left no fewer than seven miners dead. Hours later, the bandits were said to have invaded Layin…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deported 192 foreign nationals convicted of cybercrime, internet fraud, and related financial offences, following months of joint operations with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The exercise, which ended on October 16, 2025, saw the last batch of 51 convicts — including 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian — repatriated from Nigeria. According to EFCC sources, the deportation followed their conviction by the Federal High Court, Lagos, over a massive cyber-fraud and Ponzi scheme operation that rocked Victoria Island late last year. The operation stemmed from a…

 …DHQ Denies Coup Rumour, Says Arrested Officers Only Under Routine Investigation …Cancelling Independence Parade Had Nothing to Do with Alleged Coup, Military Insists Daud Olatunji Tension has gripped the Nigerian military as no fewer than sixteen senior officers have reportedly been arrested over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, PLATFORM TIMES has gathered. PLATFORM TIMES reports that  the officers, drawn from different formations across the country, were picked up in a covert operation coordinated by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) after intelligence suggested they were planning to seize power from what they described as “selfish politicians.”…

The 1971/1975 set of Egbado College, Ilaro, has marked its 50th anniversary with a powerful show of gratitude and philanthropy — donating a ₦30 million Toyota Coaster bus to their alma mater. The donation, announced by the set chairman, Dr. Adetunji Ajibode, during the golden jubilee celebration, symbolised the group’s enduring bond with the institution that shaped their formative years. Speaking at the colourful event, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, lauded the alumni for their generosity, describing education as the “strongest pillar for national development.” He said, “Your decision to celebrate your 50th…

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the arrest of a notorious terror leader, Ifeanyi Eze, popularly known as Gentle De Yahoo, in Imo State. The military disclosed that the suspect, who claims to be a Biafra agitator, had long been on its wanted list over a series of violent attacks in Okigwe Local Government Area and its environs. According to the Defence Headquarters, Eze’s capture marks a major breakthrough in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the South-East, where security forces have intensified efforts to dismantle terror camps and restore order. Military authorities revealed that Gentle De Yahoo had coordinated multiple assaults…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the wave of defections by some of its governors and senior members to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as acts of greed, selfishness, and political betrayal — insisting that Nigerians, not political defectors, will decide the outcome of the 2027 general elections. Since the 2023 polls, four governors — Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Douye Diri (Bayelsa) — have dumped the opposition party. They joined the exodus that earlier included the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, who recently withdrew their…