Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have rescued about 360 abducted persons from a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) hideout in the Mandara Mountains area of southern Borno State, in what the military described as one of its most significant hostage rescue operations in recent times. The operation, carried out by Special Forces and troops of Sector 1, followed weeks of intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance and coordinated operational planning aimed at dismantling insurgent networks in the area. According to a statement on Sunday by the Acting Media Information Officer of OPHK, Haruna Sani, the rescued victims—comprising men, women and…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide offensive against drug trafficking networks, intercepting over 320,000 capsules of tramadol concealed in building materials and arresting multiple suspects, including a 75-year-old man and several female dealers across several states. In a major breakthrough in Taraba State, operatives on Saturday, June 6, acting on intelligence, intercepted a truck conveying building materials from Onitsha to Jalingo. A search of the vehicle at Nukkai Timber Shade in Jalingo led to the discovery of a large consignment of illicit drugs concealed beneath the cargo. The driver’s assistant, 22-year-old Buhari Abdullahi, was arrested…

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified aerial surveillance operations to support the ongoing search-and-rescue mission for pupils and teachers abducted from communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The victims—drawn from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School—were kidnapped on May 15 during a deadly bandit attack that also claimed the life of a teacher. According to a statement on Sunday by NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Force has continued to deploy surveillance aircraft to provide real-time intelligence to ground troops and other security agencies involved in the…

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and serving senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has strongly denied any involvement in the abduction of Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons. Alli, in a sharp rebuttal issued through his media office on Sunday, dismissed the allegation as false, malicious and politically engineered to undermine his rising political profile ahead of the 2027 governorship contest in Oyo State. The senator’s reaction followed reports circulating on social media linking him—directly and indirectly—to the…

Tension has gripped Emede community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State following a violent clash between youths and operatives of the Joint Task Force, known as Operation Delta Sweep, leaving two security operatives in critical condition and triggering a reprisal that reportedly saw houses set ablaze. Eyewitnesses said the confrontation erupted on Thursday when a team of armed operatives stormed a popular brothel in the community to arrest suspected drug users. According to residents, the operatives arrived in a white Hilux van and allegedly began arresting persons without prior notification to community leaders, a move locals claimed…

The Kano State Hisbah Board has commenced medical screening for 3,000 prospective couples ahead of a state-backed mass wedding programme aimed at supporting vulnerable residents. The exercise, scheduled to begin on Monday, is a prerequisite for participation in the mass wedding initiative designed to unite 1,500 men and 1,500 women across the state. Deputy Commander General of the board, Mujahideen Aminuddeen, disclosed on Sunday that intending couples from 24 local government areas have been directed to report to designated Hisbah offices for the screening. The affected councils include Rogo, Wudil, Tudun Wada, Warawa, Kibiya, Dawakin Tofa, Garun Malam, Kura, Dambatta,…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency) has arrested four notorious female drug traffickers in coordinated operations across Edo, Imo, Kano and Gombe states, recovering large consignments of cannabis, tramadol and other psychotropic substances. The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, noting that the operations were carried out between June 1 and June 4 as part of intensified nationwide raids on drug trafficking networks. In Edo State, operatives stormed identified drug hotspots in Benin City on June 2, arresting four key suspects, including three females.…

Waste management operators in Ogun State have warned of an impending breakdown in refuse evacuation services, citing mounting debts, delayed payments, and harsh operating conditions that threaten the survival of the sector. The Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, raised the alarm on Sunday, urging Governor Dapo Abiodun to urgently intervene to avert what it described as a looming environmental and public health crisis. In a statement signed by its state chairman, Pastor Jolaoluwa Emmanuel Gbenga, the association accused the Ogun State Waste Management Authority of implementing policies that have pushed many operators to the brink of…

The South-West chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria has raised the alarm over the worsening wave of kidnappings and violent crimes across the region, urging the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security nationwide. In a press statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Chairman, Barnabas Tunde Akin-Akinsanya, the association expressed “profound concern and deep anguish” over the growing spate of abductions, banditry and attacks in states including Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and Lagos. The body warned that what was once perceived as isolated security breaches had evolved into a recurring national crisis threatening Nigeria’s peace,…

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has hailed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos which declared unlawful the N110bn expenditure by the National Assembly on vehicles and support allowances for lawmakers. Justice Yellim Bogoro, who delivered the ruling, held that the controversial spending failed to meet constitutional and statutory requirements governing the use of public funds. Reacting to the verdict, the group described the decision as a “landmark victory” for accountability, transparency and the rule of law. In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Comrade Yinka Folarin, and National Secretary, Comrade Idris Afeez…