Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Nigerian military and the United States Africa Command (United States Africa Command (AFRICOM)) have strengthened their counter-terrorism partnership, confirming expanded intelligence sharing, training programmes and joint military operations aimed at degrading terrorist networks across Nigeria. Senior officials from both sides disclosed the development during a virtual X Space session on Tuesday titled “Strengthening Security Through Strategic Information Sharing: United States and Nigerian Military Partnership Against Terrorism.” The engagement brought together representatives of the Nigerian Armed Forces, AFRICOM, and members of the public, amid renewed scrutiny of foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s internal security operations. The partnership, which gained momentum…

Tension has heightened in Ogun State political circle following allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ifo Local Government stormed the residence of elder statesman, Chief Joju Fadairo, in an alleged attempt to compel him to withdraw his support for PDP chieftain, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the PDP accused the APC “apex leadership” in Ifo of mounting pressure on the respected community leader following his open declaration of support for Adebutu during a visit to his residence on Monday, June 8, 2026. According to the party,…

The International Monetary Fund has said that while Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms are yielding positive macroeconomic outcomes, poverty levels in the country have worsened, with over 60 per cent of the population now living below the poverty line. In its latest assessment of Africa’s largest economy, the IMF noted that policy measures introduced under President Bola Tinubu — including fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate liberalisation, and tax reforms — have strengthened economic resilience and improved fiscal stability. However, the Fund warned that the gains have yet to translate into improved living conditions for a majority of Nigerians. “Strong reforms over…

The House of Representatives has summoned key security and financial officials to explain the utilisation of funds released to security agencies, as concerns mount over worsening insecurity across the country. Those invited include the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Olugede; the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu ; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi. Also summoned are the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed. The resolution followed deliberations on a series of motions on insecurity adopted during plenary on Tuesday. The Green Chamber said the invited officials…

…Gunshots rock Osun capital as parties trade blame …Police yet to respond amid rising pre-election tension One person has been confirmed dead while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a violent clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the Accord Party in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Tuesday. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the violence, which triggered panic across the city, was accompanied by sporadic gunfire reported in areas including Owode, Aisu, Olaiya and Oke-Fia, forcing residents and motorists to flee for safety. The Osun State chapter of the Accord Party, in a statement signed by…

Zimbabwean and Nigerian nationals account for a combined 41 per cent of foreign academics employed in public universities in South Africa, amid persistent xenophobic tensions in the country, a new report has revealed. The figures showed that more than 7,000 foreign academics were on the payroll of South Africa’s public universities as of 2025, underscoring the heavy reliance of the higher education sector on migrant professionals. According to data obtained by independent platform Truth Panther through the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, Zimbabweans make up 27 per cent of the foreign academic workforce, while Nigerians account for…

The Yayi Diaspora Movement (YDM) has commended Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola for what it described as “impactful representation” as he marks three years in the National Assembly, disclosing that no fewer than 53 projects facilitated by the lawmaker are set for commissioning across Ogun State. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the group said the projects, spread across Ogun West, Ogun Central and Ogun East senatorial districts, include roads, ultramodern markets, primary healthcare centres, police stations, classroom blocks and town halls. According to the diaspora group, the development reflects the senator’s commitment to equitable distribution of infrastructure and democratic dividends…

…Govt Says Response May Include Restrictions On South Africans …Repatriation Flights Disrupted By Documentation Delays The Federal Government has said it is weighing possible retaliatory measures against South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, even as evacuation arrangements for affected citizens are being finalised. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this on Sunday while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid growing diplomatic tension between Nigeria and South Africa over the safety of Nigerian nationals. Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the option of punitive action against South Africa was not off the table,…

Suspected armed bandits have killed two soldiers of the Nigerian Army in a violent ambush along the Mowe–Ibafo axis of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, in the early hours of Monday. The attackers were said to have opened fire on the military personnel in what eyewitnesses described as a sudden and coordinated assault, leaving two soldiers dead on the spot. Although details of the incident remained sketchy as of press time, a viral video circulating on social media showed the lifeless body of a soldier dressed in camouflage being evacuated in a pick-up van, alongside plain-clothed security operatives…

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has raised the alarm over what it described as widespread extortion of candidates by some school officials and examination supervisors in the ongoing May/June 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), warning that offenders will face severe sanctions, including prosecution. In a strong-worded statement issued on Monday by the Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, WAEC said it had received disturbing reports of illegal financial demands imposed on candidates under various guises, including “transportation of scripts,” “welfare packages,” and so-called “cooperation fees.” The examination body also accused some schools of exploiting candidates…