Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has criticised journalist Mehdi Hasan over his recent interview with presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala, describing the exchange as hostile and lacking the standards of professional journalism. Showunmi, in a statement made available to PLATFORM TIMES, said the encounter between Hasan and Bwala reflected “an attempted public ambush” rather than a serious journalistic engagement aimed at informing viewers. According to him, there is a clear distinction between tough journalism and outright hostility, noting that while the former serves the public interest, the latter merely serves the…

A commercial motorcycle company, Akmode Transport Limited, has raised the alarm over what it described as the arbitrary seizure of motorcycles and alleged extortion by individuals posing as traffic officials in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The company accused the suspects, allegedly operating under the guise of traffic mayors of Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North Local Governments, of illegally impounding motorcycles belonging to its riders and other motorists across parts of the metropolis. In a statement issued on Saturday by its Manager, M.O. Tiamiyu, the firm alleged that the individuals operate mainly around the Kuto axis of Abeokuta, where they reportedly seize…

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has condemned the arrest and detention of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique, describing the incident as unjust and a possible case of xenophobic targeting. Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed concern over the development, noting that no offence had been formally levelled against the detained Nigerians. In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri- Erewa called on Mozambican authorities to release the Nigerians immediately or subject them to due legal process if any law had been violated. She described the…

Panic gripped residents of Mallamawar Yari village in the Gawakuke ward of Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Saturday night after suspected bandits, reportedly disguised in women’s hijabs, launched a deadly attack on the community. The assailants were said to have stormed the village under the cover of darkness, killing several residents and abducting an unspecified number of people. Details of the attack were disclosed on Sunday by a security analyst, Bakatsine, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he alleged that the attackers wore women’s hijabs to avoid raising suspicion while moving within the community. According…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a former councillor in Lagos State and intercepted several illicit drugs and explosive components in multiple operations across the country. The agency said the former councillor, Sheleru Sadiq, who represented Orimedu in the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, was arrested on March 2 at his residence over alleged possession of illegal drugs. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that a search of the suspect’s residence led to the discovery of 40 kilograms of skunk, a strong strain of cannabis, concealed in one of the rooms.…

The wife of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, has reportedly been intercepted by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission while travelling to Benue State with $160,000 in cash. Sources familiar with the development disclosed that the woman was stopped by EFCC officials during the trip and subsequently returned to Abuja after the large sum of money was allegedly discovered in her possession. According to the sources, the interception occurred amid ongoing scrutiny surrounding Justice Tsoho over alleged violations of asset declaration rules. A source privy to the development said, “She was…

… Says systemic barriers still limit opportunities The Beyond Limit Initiative for Women and Girls with Disabilities has called for urgent systemic reforms to ensure full inclusion, protection and economic empowerment of women with disabilities in Nigeria. The group made the call in a statement issued by the Executive Director of the Beyond Limit Initiative, Oluwatomisin Adeyefa Olatayo, on Sunday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day. Olatayo urged government and other stakeholders to move beyond symbolic celebrations and implement policies that guarantee equal opportunities. Under the theme, “Count Us In: Breaking Barriers, Beyond Limit,” she …

Women now hold just 27.5 per cent of parliamentary seats worldwide, marking a meager 0.3 per cent increase from 2025, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has revealed. The UN-backed report, Women in Parliament 2025, released ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, described the growth as the slowest in nearly a decade. The report also highlighted a decline in women’s leadership roles in legislatures, with women occupying only 12 of the 75 newly appointed speakerships. According to the IPU, electoral quotas play a “critical role” in improving female representation. In the 49 countries that held elections last year, chambers with…

A former Inspector General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, has revealed that his entry into the Nigeria Police Force was sparked by a personal encounter with corruption on the road. Ehindero said  that while travelling from Abeokuta to Ibadan, he was stopped near Government College, Ibadan by a police sergeant who demanded a bribe. “I did not have the amount he demanded, and he refused to release my vehicle particulars. Eventually, I was forced to buy him a Star Beer and Crolla soft drink before my documents were returned,” Ehindero recounted. The retired police chief said the incident left him both…

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested Sabastine Odo Odam, a suspected notorious commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in connection with the murder of five police officers and 11 labourers in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Enugu State. The intelligence-led operation, carried out on Friday, March 6, also led to the detention of Ejike Daniel, alleged to be a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Eha-Amufu and Umuhu communities. Sources within the DSS said the suspects were tracked after months of surveillance following repeated attacks on police stations and the theft of…