Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a shocking revelation, seven suspected human traffickers have been arrested in Calabar, Cross River State, for allegedly attempting to sell a newborn baby for N3 million. The arrests were made by troops of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), following a tip-off about the activities of a suspected trafficking syndicate operating in the area. According to Major Yemi Sokoya, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 13 Brigade, the intelligence-led operation was conducted on Tuesday at the Glorious Amazing Grace Hospital in the…

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has commenced a nationwide verification and tracking exercise of constituency and zonal intervention projects to ensure compliance with approved standards. The exercise, flagged off on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in Kano for the Northwest zone, is part of the federal government’s efforts to promote transparency, prevent project abandonment, and ensure value for money in public expenditure. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, represented by the Director of the Special Projects Unit,…

Police bust syndicate over N7.7bn telecoms hack, recover 400 laptops, 1,000 phones Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested six suspects for allegedly hacking into the core systems of a telecommunications company and diverting airtime and mobile data valued at over N7.7bn. The suspects — Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu and Masa’ud Sa’ad  were arrested following coordinated raids in Kano and Katsina states, with a follow-up arrest in the Federal Capital Territory, the police said on Wednesday. In a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that investigators recovered two mini…

Fresh allegations of internal compromise within the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) emerged on Wednesday as a defence witness told the Federal High Court in Abuja that some NDLEA officers routinely aided drug couriers to beat airport security checks in the ongoing cocaine trial of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari. The witness, Inspector El-John Nwonke of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja, said two convicted drug traffickers — Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne  confessed during interrogation that NDLEA officers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, habitually cleared them to pass with narcotics concealed…

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Wednesday issued a fresh warning to traders defying the government’s directive to open markets on Mondays, vowing to revoke shop ownership and reallocate stalls to willing operators if the sit-at-home persists. Soludo, who described the action as “economic sabotage,” said the cost of the weekly shutdown was crippling the broader economy, insisting that it was not about tax losses but the devastating impact on traders, families and education. “Monday is the most important day of the week. If we continue like this, our economy will continue to come down. We can’t train our…

The King Kosoko Royal Family has formally declared veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Prince Jide Kosoko, as the Oloja of Lagos-elect. The announcement was made on Wednesday at the King Kosoko Palace in Ereko, Lagos Island. The  72-year-old thespian was presented before royal family members, chiefs, supporters and well-wishers in a solemn ceremony. Kosoko, a prince (Omoba) of the historic Kosoko royal lineage, is a direct descendant of King Kosoko, the 10th Oba of Lagos and the first Oloja of Lagos, making him eligible for the revered traditional stool. Speaking at the event, leaders of the royal family said the…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday opened its case against a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, as a prosecution witness narrated alleged contract irregularities in the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund under his supervision. Ngige, who served as minister between November 11, 2015, and May 29, 2023, is facing an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office, acceptance of gratification and contract fraud amounting to over N2.2bn. He was arraigned on December 12, 2025, before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Gwarinpa. At the resumed hearing, the EFCC called its…

Amnesty International Nigeria has raised the alarm over the persistent spate of mob killings across the country, blaming the trend on weak law enforcement, a dysfunctional justice system and deepening public mistrust in state institutions. The rights group made the call on Wednesday in Kano during a town hall meeting organised as part of its nationwide #JusticeNotJungle campaign, aimed at ending jungle justice and promoting lawful responses to crime and allegations. Speaking at the event, the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, lamented that innocent Nigerians continued to lose their lives after being accused—often without evidence—of offences such…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the death of renowned business mogul and industrialist, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, as painful, saying his passing has left a vacuum in his family and the country that would be difficult to fill. In a tribute released on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo eulogised the late Ojora as an “amiable and notable Nigerian” whose life was defined by integrity, wisdom and uncommon dedication to national development. He said Nigeria had lost a frontline indigenous industrialist and a distinguished captain of industry and commerce, noting that Ojora’s legacy would endure through…

Babcock University has intensified its collaboration with key professional and media institutions as part of efforts to enhance the employability and global competitiveness of its graduates. The President/Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole, disclosed this during courtesy visits to Lagos Television and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, where he said the initiative was aimed at aligning academic training with evolving industry needs. Ojewole said sustained partnership between universities and industry players remained critical to preparing students for real-world challenges, stressing that graduates must be equipped not only with academic knowledge but also with practical skills and…