Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, on Friday disclosed that no fewer than 48 children, aged between two and five years, have been abducted from different parts of the state and allegedly taken to unknown destinations. Yahaya raised the alarm during the inauguration of the state’s Ramadan palliative distribution exercise in Gombe, describing the development as disturbing and a grave threat to public safety. According to him, official records indicate that the affected children were stolen and transported outside the state, while their parents remain in Gombe. “From the available records, 48 Gombe State children between the ages of…

Staff members of the News Agency of Nigeria have petitioned the Oyo State Real Property Protection Agency over the alleged invasion of their 35-acre housing estate in Ibadan by suspected land grabbers. In a petition dated December 11, 2025, and signed by their solicitor, Ademola Sodamade, the workers accused some individuals of breach of peace, threat to life and malicious damage to property at Butubutu Village in Ona-Ara Local Government Area. The petition, made available to journalists on Friday, listed Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Mrs Oluwamayowa Ayinde and Mr Adewale Owoade among the recognised owners of the property. The workers alleged…

Dangote Cement Plc has signed a strategic agreement valued at over $1bn with Chinese engineering giant, Sinoma International Engineering, for the construction of new cement plants and expansion of existing facilities across Africa. The agreement, signed in Lagos at the weekend, forms part of Dangote Cement’s long-term growth plan aimed at raising its production capacity to 80 million tonnes per annum by 2030. Dangote Cement Plc, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited, said the projects would cover 12 new developments, including greenfield plants, brownfield expansions and plant modernisation initiatives in key African markets. Speaking at the ceremony, the President of…

Daud Olatunji The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Mosunmola Arinola Dipeolu, on Thursday unveiled an electronic affidavit platform and a new Multi-Door Courthouse Practice Direction as part of sweeping reforms to modernise justice delivery in the state. Speaking at the Ogun State Judiciary at 50 public lecture and the launch of the commemorative book “Ogun State Judiciary at 50” and the 2026 Staff Manual, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Dipeolu said the judiciary must evolve to meet rising public expectations and technological realities. She described the Golden Jubilee as “a measure of institutional growth, sacrifice and…

The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Western Zone, has elected Prince Adewale Adegoke Dada as its new Public Relations Officer, setting the stage for what insiders describe as a strategic overhaul of the association’s communication architecture. Dada’s emergence is already being viewed by stakeholders as a turning point for the travel trade body, particularly amid growing calls for stronger advocacy, clearer messaging and enhanced industry visibility within Nigeria’s evolving tourism landscape. Speaking at a post-election press briefing, Dada described his victory as “a collective mandate for institutional growth,” stressing that members are demanding a more visible, responsive and…

The presidency has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of deliberate misinformation over the recently signed Electoral Act, 2026. Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, said on Thursday that the opposition parties were exaggerating the effects of the law to mislead Nigerians and generate “cheap headlines.” The ADC and NNPP had described the Electoral Act amendment as “obnoxious,” a threat to democracy, and an alleged move to entrench a one-party system. The law, signed by President Tinubu on February 18, introduces electronic transmission of election results, with…

The wife of a slain terrorist commander surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Konduga on Thursday. The 25-year-old woman, Kaltum Dalha, arrived at a Forward Operating Base at about 11:00 a.m. on February 26, 2026, accompanied by her two-year-old child, Awana Dalha. Preliminary investigations revealed that her husband, reportedly the commander of the Mairam Buri enclave, was killed by troops during a recent firefight. Sources disclosed that the death of her husband prompted Dalha to surrender. During interrogation, she confirmed that the terrorist cell had disintegrated following the elimination of its leadership. “Her surrender is an indication of…

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that the choice of his successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election will be based on competence and loyalty to the state, rather than personal allegiance to him. Speaking at the 12th ‘Omituntun’ Annual Ramadan Public Lecture at the Ibadan North Local Government Motor Park, Agodi Gate, Makinde said the decision was informed by lessons from past administrations, where some leaders installed successors who later “misbehaved” once in office. “I have spoken with colleagues whose successors strayed after taking office. The common thread is that they chose individuals they believed would be loyal…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a total of N873.78 billion for the 2027 general elections, including N12.29 billion for the printing of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and N500 million for hand sanitisers across polling units nationwide. The commission presented the budget before the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters of the National Assembly in Abuja on February 12, detailing allocations for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and other critical election materials. A breakdown shows that INEC earmarked: N12.29 billion for PVC printing; N500 million for hand sanitisers; N359.88 million for methylated spirit; and N450.24 million for cotton…

A visitor simply identified as Ade has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle suspected hard drugs concealed in cooked food into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Agodi, Ibadan. The Nigerian Correctional Service, Oyo State Command, said the suspect was apprehended during routine screening of visitors at the facility. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Olanrewaju Anjorin, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. According to him, the male visitor, who claimed he came to see an inmate, aroused suspicion during security checks at the entrance of the custodial centre. Anjorin said a thorough search of…