Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A 27-year-old Nigerian student has been arrested in Umbilo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, after he was allegedly found in possession of cocaine valued at about N49 million. The suspect, whose identity was yet to be disclosed as of press time, was apprehended on Monday by a joint team of the Metro Police Tactical Support Unit, Metro Police Task Team and the South African Police Service KwaZulu-Natal Counter Narcotics Unit. Authorities said the suspect was intercepted as he exited his vehicle, during which operatives discovered high-purity cocaine concealed in a sock. A subsequent search of his residence led to the recovery of…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Muslims in Nigeria to uphold the virtues of unity, patriotism, and compassion as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the Ramadan fast. The President, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, congratulated Muslims on successfully completing the holy month, urging them to sustain its spiritual lessons beyond the festivities. Tinubu emphasised that the values of discipline, sacrifice, and devotion cultivated during Ramadan should translate into renewed commitment to national cohesion and peaceful coexistence. He said, “We have a lot to draw from the…

The Federal Government has signed a fresh agreement with the United Kingdom to facilitate the deportation of failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers and convicted criminals back to Nigeria. The deal was formalised by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, during the official visit of President Bola Tinubu to Britain, according to a statement issued by the UK Home Office on Thursday. Under the agreement, British authorities will be able to repatriate Nigerians who have exhausted their asylum claims, as well as those convicted of criminal offences or found to have violated immigration rules.…

The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has called on political stakeholders to desist from mocking a member of the House of Representatives, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, over his renewed governorship ambition, insisting that the lawmaker’s contributions to public service merit commendation. The monarch, in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, described Isiaka as a “disciplined and community-driven leader” whose track record in both public and private sectors has positioned him as a key political figure in Ogun West and the state at large. Isiaka, who represents Yewa North/Imeko-Afon…

Fresh security concerns have emerged as bandit groups displaced by intensified military operations in Nigeria’s North-West reportedly expand their activities into parts of Kano State while probing routes leading to the South-West. This was disclosed in a new security report by SBM Intelligence, which warned that the shifting pattern of attacks could widen the country’s insecurity map if not urgently contained. According to the report, which reviewed incidents between March 6 and 12, 2026, remnants of armed groups previously operating in Zamfara State and Katsina State have begun relocating to new areas, particularly around Rogo Local Government Area of Kano.…

No fewer than 17 motorists have been convicted for various traffic offences along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, as authorities intensify enforcement to curb reckless driving and improve road safety. The convictions were secured by the Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun State Command, during a mobile court sitting at Ogere axis of the busy highway. The command’s spokesperson, Odunsi Afolabi, disclosed in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Wednesday that all the offenders were arraigned and found guilty of different traffic-related infractions. According to him, the mobile court session, presided over by Magistrate O.S. Fadahunsi, saw the immediate conviction of the 17…

… Inmates To Learn Modern Farming Skills Across 18 Centres … Focus Shifts from Custody to Productivity and Human Development … Inmates Engaged In Crop Cultivation, Poultry, Fishery, Processing Daud Olatunji The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to convert Nigeria’s correctional centres from traditional detention facilities into productive food production and vocational training hubs. The initiative aims to equip inmates with modern agricultural skills and practical vocational expertise, while leveraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) to strengthen rehabilitation and societal reintegration. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed the initiative on Wednesday in Abuja during a stakeholders’ roundtable on Optimising…

The federal government has revealed that more than 220 Nigerians are currently pursuing various academic programmes in the United Kingdom under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), while over 8,000 beneficiaries continue their studies across Nigeria. The disclosure was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a meeting with PAP beneficiaries in the UK. The session was held on the sidelines of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Britain at the invitation of King Charles III. Also present was the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri. In a statement on Wednesday, Idris expressed satisfaction…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday returned N3.936 billion in recovered funds to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC Ltd), following investigations into alleged financial misconduct within the corporation. The handover, which took place at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, was conducted by EFCC Secretary, Mohammed Hammajoda, on behalf of the Commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede. Hammajoda described the recovered funds as the product of “meticulous investigations” and reiterated the agency’s commitment to pursuing financial crimes. “On behalf of the Executive Chairman, we will continue to serve over 220 million Nigerians with courage and integrity,” he said.…

Nigerian troops have recovered operational notebooks from slain fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province, exposing detailed planning structures, including attack coordination, weapons distribution and role assignments. The materials were reportedly retrieved during a military operation in Mallam Fatori, a known insurgency hotspot in Nigeria’s North-East. According to findings cited by security analyst Brant Philip, the documents contained names of fighters mobilised for specific العمليات, alongside clearly defined responsibilities, weapons issued and ammunition allocated for each operative. The development highlights what analysts describe as a high level of organisational sophistication within the terrorist group, mirroring structures seen in other…