Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday confirmed the rescue of two abducted cocoa farmers and the arrest of three suspects following a kidnapping incident at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan. The command disclosed that the attack occurred at about 12:23 p.m. on March 18, 2026, when gunmen struck at the institute’s nursery site. According to the police, the victims—members of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter—were at the facility to submit their annual cocoa seedlings for the 2026 planting season when they were ambushed by armed assailants. Spokesperson for the command said a…

Nigerian troops have recorded a major breakthrough in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign, killing two top commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province and 84 fighters during a coordinated ambush in the Malam Fatori axis of Borno State. The operation, which followed credible intelligence on insurgents’ movements, came barely 24 hours after multiple suicide attacks rocked Maiduguri during Ramadan prayers. Military sources described the offensive as a “highly successful” mission that combined deception tactics, precision airstrikes and ground assaults to neutralise the террористs. According to intelligence sources, troops adopted a decoy ambush strategy—deliberately simulating vulnerability to lure the insurgents into…

The Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide has resumed its 2026 anointment exercise at its international headquarters, the Holy Land, Celestial City, Imeko in Ogun State. The exercise, which commenced on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, is scheduled to run until Friday, March 27, after which a short break will be observed for the Easter celebration. According to the church, the programme will resume in the second week of April, immediately after the Easter festivities. The anointment exercise is being conducted by the spiritual head of the church, His Eminence, Reverend Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa. In a statement issued by the church’s spokesman,…

The Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Arc. Dr. Babatunde Adekoyejo Jolaoso, has cautioned newly admitted students of the institution to shun cultism, examination malpractice, drug abuse and other social vices capable of jeopardising their academic future. Jolaoso gave the warning on Wednesday during the 2025/2026 matriculation ceremony of the institution in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he formally admitted fresh students into the polytechnic. Describing matriculation as more than a ceremonial exercise, the rector said it marked a “solemn academic tradition” that binds students to the rules and values of the institution. “Matriculation is more than a ceremonial exercise. It is…

The Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as Eid-el-Fitr, following the non-sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon across Nigeria. The announcement, which marks the end of the 2026 Ramadan fast, was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee. According to the statement signed by the Wazirin Sokoto, Sambo Wali Junaidu, there were no verified reports of the new moon from sighting committees nationwide on the 29th day of Ramadan, corresponding to March 18, 2026. “In accordance with Islamic injunctions, when…

The race for the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State gained momentum on Tuesday as a United States-based pediatrician and public health advocate, Dr Bolaji Marie Odusina, declared her intention to contest the state’s top seat. Odusina, popularly known as Dee Doc, formally announced her ambition at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Abeokuta, where she unveiled a 12-point development agenda focused on healthcare, economic revitalisation and transparent governance. The 62-year-old aspirant described her entry into the race as a mission to address systemic challenges confronting residents, positioning herself as a reform-driven candidate with…

The National President of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Alumni Association (MAPALUM), Alhaji Ayinde Soaga, has urged newly admitted students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, to prioritise practical skills alongside academic qualifications to enhance self-reliance. Soaga gave the charge on Tuesday during a press conference held on the institution’s campus ahead of the 2025/2026 matriculation ceremony and maiden lecture themed, “Building a Solid Foundation: The Synergy of Character and Competence,” scheduled to hold at the OGD Main Auditorium. He stressed that in Nigeria’s current economic reality, possession of certificates alone no longer guarantees employment or financial stability, urging students to…

…Officers Must Wear Name Tags and Force Numbers …Stops Harassment, Confiscation Of Device Daud Olatunji Federal High Court in Warri has affirmed that Nigerians have the constitutional right to record police officers while performing their duties in public. Delivering judgement on Tuesday in suit number FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa declared that no law prohibits citizens from filming law enforcement officers during public operations. The court further ruled that officers of the Nigeria Police Force must not intimidate, harass, arrest, or confiscate devices from anyone recording their actions. The court also directed that all officers must wear clearly visible name…

There is growing tension in the ancient city of Benin, Benin City, following sanctions imposed by the Benin Traditional Council on a palace queen, chiefs and staff over the alleged unauthorised entry of a social media influencer into the revered palace. The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the council’s Secretary, Frank Irabor, who described the incident as a serious breach of protocol and desecration of the sacred precincts of the palace of the Oba of Benin. Irabor said the influencer, Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, popularly known as Peller, gained unauthorised access to the palace on March…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has raised the alarm over the circulation of a counterfeit breast cancer drug in Nigeria, warning that the development poses serious health risks to patients. The agency disclosed that the suspected fake product, Phesgo 600mg, was detected following complaints received by Roche from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. According to NAFDAC, the complaints involved suspected counterfeit batches identified as B2346B16 and C3809C5, which were reportedly presented by patients for treatment. The agency noted that one of the batches, C3809C5, had a vial volume of about 20ml instead of the expected…