Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 70-year-old man, Adamu Mohammed, in Mbulamel, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, for allegedly dealing in illicit drugs.  This arrest is part of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking and related offenses across Nigeria. In a statement issued on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi detailed the agency’s recent operations.  One significant bust involved the interception of China and UK-bound consignments concealed in steel bolts and shea butter in Lagos.  The NDLEA’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI), attached to a courier firm, discovered two parcels containing cocaine and…

The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Annett Gunther, says there are no less than four thousand Nigerians schooling and working in Germany. Gunther made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja. According to her, the German Academic Exchange Service gives out not less than 1000 scholarships yearly. She said that the German government was working on improving visa approvals for intending Nigerian students to Germany. “At the moment, we have approximately 4000 Nigerian students in Germany, coming and going in and out of the country and, also…

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of HRM Ogwong A Abang, the paramount ruler of Mbo Local Government Area.  The traditional ruler was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on Saturday night in his palace at Ebughu. ASP Timfon John, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident on Sunday.  Speaking on the development, John assured the public that efforts are underway to secure the monarch’s release.  “We received the information yesterday (Saturday) and the police are working round the clock already to ensure that the monarch regains freedom,” he stated. The abduction reportedly took place around 9…

A football coach identified only as Adebisi has been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) on allegations of attempting to sodomize one of his players. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  arrest, which occurred last Wednesday, was the result of a tip-off received by the DSS. The incident unfolded in the Isale Osun area of Osogbo, where Adebisi, who works with a local male football team, met the victim, identified simply as Michael, during a training session at Fakunle Comprehensive High School.  According to sources, Adebisi led Michael to a secluded spot within the school grounds and…

 Chief Mrs. Ayoka Adebayo, the former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ekiti State under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has passed away at the age of 89.  Her death was confirmed on Saturday by Chief Hon. Johnson Olu Fatoki, the Oganla of Owu Kingdom. Chief Mrs. Adebayo was a distinguished figure known for her unwavering integrity and dedication to fair electoral practices.  During her tenure as REC in Ekiti State, she played a pivotal role in overseeing and ensuring transparent electoral processes, which garnered her widespread respect and admiration from colleagues and the public alike. Her tenure was marked…

The Plateau State Government has terminated the employment of a commercial driver over drug abuse.  This development comes as the state prepares to introduce locomotive train transport services to enhance public transit options. The dismissed driver, who was discovered under the influence of drugs while transporting passengers from Jos to Abuja in one of the newly acquired Siena buses, was immediately recalled and subsequently sacked.  This swift action followed distress calls from concerned passengers and was confirmed by the state Commissioner for Transport, Gyang Davou. Davou, addressing an induction ceremony for new Special Corps marshals of the Federal Road Safety…

A Nigerian pastor has captivated his congregation and garnered widespread attention by announcing the suspension of offering collections in his church due to the ongoing economic hardship in the country. The announcement, which quickly went viral after being shared on social media on Saturday, featured the pastor addressing his congregation with a heartfelt message.  In the video, the pastor empathized with the financial struggles faced by many Nigerians, stating that the church would temporarily halt the collection of offerings to alleviate some of the pressure on its members. “Stop collecting offers for now because of the situation of the country.…

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, has called on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action against the escalating insecurity in Nigeria by invoking an Executive Order to establish state and local government police forces.  This appeal was made on Saturday through a statement issued by Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan. In addition to advocating  state and local police, Afenifere emphasized the necessity of installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems and deploying modern technology, including drones, in strategic locations to bolster security efforts.  Ajayi highlighted the urgency of these measures in light of the recent surge in…

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) of Ogun State has begun moves ahead of the coming elections in the state. The party held a meeting led by the Ogun Central Senatorial Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Mustapha, comprising   chairmen and secretaries from all six local government areas (LGAs) within the central senatorial district. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the meeting we attended by leaders and members drawn from  Abeokuta South LGA, Abeokuta North LGA, Odeda LGA, Obafemi/Owode LGA, Ifo LGA, and Ewekoro LGA. The party  in a statement jointly signed by  its Chairman,Hon. Babatunde Mustapha and the Secretary, Babatunde, O. R ,said…

Junta-run Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have finalised plans to form a confederation after turning their backs on former colonial ruler France to seek closer ties with Russia. Their foreign ministers met Friday in Niger’s capital Niamey to agree on a text establishing the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). “The objective was to finalise the draft text relating to the institutionalisation and operationalisation of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)”, said Niger Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare as he read the final statement late Friday. He said the text would be adopted…