Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has disclosed that security operatives foiled an alleged plot by some youths to bomb the Ondo State Government House following a coordinated intelligence-led operation. Aiyedatiwa said the suspects were arrested after weeks of surveillance, adding that materials suspected to be linked to the planned attack were recovered during the raid. The governor made the disclosure on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he described the incident as one of several security successes recorded in the state through proactive intelligence gathering. According to him, security agencies had received credible intelligence about three…

Tension gripped parts of Odogbolu Local Government Area on Thursday following the arrest of two suspected herders found in possession of a large sum of money, sparking controversy and divided opinions among residents. The individuals, identified by locals as Fulani herders, were reportedly apprehended by security operatives in the Atiba area of the council. Viral videos and images circulating on social media showed the suspects surrounded by security personnel, with claims that they were carrying a substantial amount of cash at the time of arrest. However, as of press time, the Ogun State Police Command had yet to officially confirm…

A tricycle rider identified simply as IK has allegedly beaten his partner to death and abandoned her lifeless body alongside their two young children in a tricycle in Port Harcourt. The incident, which occurred along CPM Street in Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, has thrown residents into shock and grief. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the suspect allegedly assaulted the woman late Monday night at a guest house, inflicting fatal injuries on her before attempting to move her body. A resident, who identified himself as Senibo, said neighbours were alerted early Tuesday morning after the disturbing discovery of the woman’s…

The Oyo State Police Command on Thursday dismissed as false reports circulating on social media that pupils and teachers abducted in parts of the state had regained their freedom. The police described the claims as misleading and capable of undermining ongoing rescue operations, urging residents to disregard the information. The victims were abducted from Ahoro, Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, sparking widespread concern over rising insecurity in the area. In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the command said there had been no confirmed development regarding the…

…Says Corruption Claims Worsen Wave Of School Kidnappings Nationwide …Urges Tinubu To Direct EFCC, AGF To Trace, Recover Missing Funds Daud Olatunji The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on President Bola Tinubu to order an immediate investigation into the alleged diversion and mismanagement of N145bn earmarked for the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative. The group said the call became imperative following persistent attacks on schools and the abduction of over 600 pupils and teachers across the country between March 2024 and May 2026, despite huge budgetary allocations to safeguard educational institutions. In a statement on Thursday signed by…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has ramped up its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) during a performance test, exceeding its installed nameplate capacity of 650,000bpd and reinforcing its status as a major force in Africa’s energy sector. The milestone, confirmed by process licensors, signals improved operational efficiency and engineering resilience at the facility, widely regarded as the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery. The Vice-President, Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the development forms part of a broader plan to scale up refining capacity to 1.4 million bpd within the next 30 months. Edwin…

…Warns Of Deep Learning Crisis In Schools Daud Olatunji Nigeria’s education system is grappling with a deepening learning and access crisis, as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that only one in four schoolchildren in the country can read properly and perform basic mathematics at the age of 14. UNICEF also raised concern that more than 20 million Nigerian children are currently out of school, describing the situation as one of the worst education exclusion crises globally, with Nigeria accounting for about 15 per cent of the world’s out-of-school population. The concerns were raised on Wednesday during a…

The Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, on Tuesday sacked the Chief Benjamin Omale-led caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress in the state, affirming the legitimacy of the Comrade Austin Agada-led executive committee. The appellate court, in Appeal No. CA/MKD/119/2024, also upheld the earlier judgment of the Makurdi High Court which nullified the dissolution of the Agada-led state executive by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), describing the move as unlawful. Delivering the lead judgment, the Presiding Justice resolved all issues raised in the appeal against the appellant, effectively reinstating the Agada-led leadership as the valid executive…

… April, May, June Incidents Spark Panic In Ijebu-Ode … Students, Teachers Hospitalised As Cause Remains Unknown … Parents Demand Urgent Govt Action Daud Olatunji A disturbing pattern of mysterious gas emissions has thrown schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, into repeated crises, with about  200 students and teachers affected in three separate incidents within 64 days, raising concerns over a looming environmental and public health emergency. The latest incident occurred on Wednesday, June 3, at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, where students and members of staff reportedly suffered breathing difficulties and other health complications after perceiving a strange chemical…

… Alleges possible political, economic motives The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called for a comprehensive investigation into claims that recent kidnapping incidents in Oyo State may be politically motivated, warning that insecurity in the South-West has assumed a more complex and dangerous dimension. The group, which raised fresh concerns over escalating attacks across the region, said security agencies must probe allegations made by former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, that kidnappings in Oyo could be aimed at undermining the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, who spoke during a current affairs programme on…