Author: Platform Times Newspaper

…  Cite Alleged Threats, insecurity Concerns, Say Supporters’ Safety Outweighs Ambition Daud Olatunji The political group supporting former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has explained why it advised him to withdraw from the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary election scheduled for Monday, citing alleged threats, rising tension and safety concerns for supporters. The group, operating under the BATOGD Movement  In a statement jointly signed by 35 political associates drawn from across Ogun East senatorial district, titled, “Our Ebenezeri,” said its decision followed what it called “strange movements” and intimidation allegedly targeted at its members…

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has slammed South-West governors over the recent attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, describing the incidents as “alarming and unacceptable” and demanding urgent security interventions. In a statement, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, said the organisation’s leader, Reuben Fasoranti, was deeply saddened by the attacks, which coincided with celebrations of his 100th birthday. Fasoranti reportedly sympathised with the victims and their families and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured. The group warned that repeated attacks and abductions in the South-West and parts of Kwara State indicate a growing…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reassured Nigerians that the country remains free of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), even as outbreaks intensify in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. In a public advisory on Sunday, NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, said, “Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease.” He added that the agency, in collaboration with key stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Health’s Port Health Service, has activated emergency surveillance measures across the country to prevent any possible spread. Dr. Idris urged the public to remain calm, adhere to hygiene…

Forty-five small-scale business owners in Ogun State have been empowered with tools and items worth over N10 million through the sixth edition of a programme jointly organised by Dawah Front of Nigeria, Abeokuta Chapter, and the Amir Zakat Foundation. The ceremony, held on Sunday at the Egba Central Mosque, Kobiti, benefited artisans, traders, computer operators, food vendors, and a Point of Sales (POS) operator. Each of the 45 beneficiaries received industrial and manual sewing machines, refrigerators, laptops, medium-sized generators, laminating machines, weaving machines, foodstuff, and cash support. The total cost for empowering the 45 persons exceeded N10 million. Five other…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified several high-profile aspirants in Rivers State ahead of the party’s 2027 senatorial and House of Representatives primaries, in a move that appears to favour allies of former Governor Nyesom Wike. A list released by the party revealed that Senator Ipalibo Banigo, representing Rivers West and a former deputy governor, was not cleared to contest the upcoming senatorial primaries. Others excluded include Tamunobaabo Danagogo, former Rivers State Secretary to the Government (SSG) under Wike and also a past cabinet member under incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former senator Ojukaye Amachree, and businessman Jack-Rich Tein, a…

Fresh confusion has emerged over the reported killing of senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abu Bilal Minuki, also known as Abubakar Mainok, following conflicting announcements by Nigerian authorities and international leaders. The Nigerian military had previously declared Minuki dead in 2024, listing him among top IS-affiliated commanders neutralised during coordinated operations across the North. The announcement, made by then-Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, claimed Minuki was eliminated on February 21, 2024, along the Birnin Gwari forest axis and Abuja–Kaduna highway. At the time, the military also reported the killing of other senior insurgents,…

 Seven passengers were on Saturday abducted by suspected gunmen along the Kabba road while travelling to Abuja, in an attack that left commuters and drivers on edge over rising insecurity on the state’s highways. A video circulating on social media showed the driver of a vehicle belonging to Ominyimotors, a prominent car dealer, recounting his narrow escape from the assailants. The driver said he was delivering a car to Abuja when armed men blocked the road, opened fire on motorists, and forcibly removed passengers from vehicles. “I escaped kidnapping just now. This bus you are seeing, they packed all the…

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria has condemned the recent abduction of students in parts of Oyo and Borno States, describing the incidents as a disturbing reflection of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and a direct threat to the country’s education system. The affected incidents reportedly occurred on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Ahoro Esinele in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and Mussa village in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, where yet-to-be-confirmed numbers of students were taken away by armed assailants. In a statement issued on Saturday, and signed by National President/Amir, Engr. Tajudeen Mustapha Olumide and National…

….Helicopters, SEAL Team 6 Among Forces Deployed In Operation …Forces Recover Devices Linked To Terror Financing Network Daud Olatunji It was meant to be a quiet night over the Lake Chad Basin, but within minutes, the darkness erupted into a coordinated storm of rotor blades, gunfire, and precision strikes. In a rare joint military operation stretching across international command lines, Nigerian and United States special forces battled ISIS fighters for over three hours, culminating in the death of a top jihadist commander whose networks had long unsettled security agencies across Africa. … A Raid Years In The  Making  Emerging details…

In this exclusive interview with DAUD OLATUNJI, Editor of PLATFORM TIMES, Oludele Folasade, an actor and film producer, reflects on her journey in the entertainment industry, her passion for storytelling, and the discipline required to excel both in front of and behind the camera. She speaks on role preparation, industry challenges, and her vision for the future of filmmaking. Enjoy the excerpts. What inspired you to become an actor? I have always loved storytelling and expressing emotions through characters. Acting gives me the opportunity to connect with people, inspire them, and bring different stories to life. How do you prepare…