Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Rofiat Lawal has recounted her traumatic experience after being abducted by gunmen along the Benin-Ore Expressway last Tuesday. Rofiat, who was on her way to her place of primary assignment in Oyo State from Edo State, narrated how she and five others were kidnapped at gunpoint from a commercial vehicle. The abduction, which occurred near the Ore area of the expressway, saw the gunmen stop the vehicle with gunfire, forcing the passengers to lie down before selecting six victims, including Rofiat. PLATFORM TIMES reports that they were then led into a nearby bush…

Former Governor of Ogun State and prominent political figure, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chief Mrs. Adenike Ebun Oyagbola, Nigeria’s first female cabinet Minister. PLATFORM TIMES reports that Chief Oyagbola, a distinguished daughter of Igan-Alade in Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State, breathed her last on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the age of 94. Amosun in a statement said Chief Mrs. Oyagbola’s life and legacy are celebrated not only in Ogun State but across the nation for her groundbreaking contributions to Nigeria’s socio-political landscape. Amosun, while extending heartfelt condolences to the grieving…

Tragedy struck in Zamfara State as a 21-year-old student of the Federal University Gusau, Zarah Abubakar Shehu, died in captivity four months after being abducted by armed bandits. Zarah, a 300-level student, was forcefully taken from her residence in the Damba area of Gusau alongside her two siblings during an early morning raid on November 3, 2024. Initially demanding a ransom of ₦35 million for their release, the kidnappers later reduced their demand to ₦10 million following negotiations. However, despite the payment of the ransom, Zarah was not released. Instead, the abductors demanded four motorcycles (Boza) and four cartons of…

The Kano State Hisbah Board has made several arrests of young men accused of failing to observe the fast Ina bid to enforce Sharia law during the holy month of Ramadan. According to officials from the Hisbah Board, the arrests were conducted on the first day of Ramadan, which commenced on March 1, 2025. Dr. Mujahideen Abubakar, the Deputy Commander General of the Board, confirmed these arrests, emphasizing the agency’s mandate to ensure compliance with Sharia law during Ramadan. Speaking to journalists, Dr. Abubakar reiterated the necessity of observing the fast as prescribed by Islamic teachings. This recent crackdown by…

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old businessman, Alhaji Nuru Isah, for allegedly beating his 24-year-old wife, Wasila Abdullahi, to death following a dispute over food meant for breaking the Ramadan fast. The tragic incident occurred late on Friday near Government Girls College, Fadamam, Mada Area, Bauchi, throwing the community into shock. Confirming the incident in a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Ahmed Wakil, said the altercation stemmed from a misunderstanding over how food ingredients and fruits for Iftar (the evening meal to break Ramadan fast) were being handled. “On March 1, 2025, at…

In a decisive operation aimed at flushing out terrorist elements from the notorious Sambisa Forest in Borno State, Nigerian Army Troops of the 21 Armored Brigade, supported by the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Hadin Kai, have successfully uncovered a substantial cache of arms, ammunition, and equipment. The operation, conducted in collaboration with the 199 Special Forces Battalion, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and Hybrid Forces, marks a significant advancement in the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in the Lake Chad region. Under the command of counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the joint forces executed the mission in the Ukuba general area, targeting…

In response to recent Supreme Court rulings affecting the local government administration in Rivers State, Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara has issued directives for immediate action. Following the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system, Governor Fubara mandated the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to assume control of the 23 local government areas. This interim measure is pending the conduct of fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). In a statewide broadcast from Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara underscored the necessity of adhering to judicial directives, despite his administration’s disagreement with the court’s judgments.…

Intelligence-led operation on Sunday, operatives from the Angwan Lambu Police Division in Keffi arrested Godswill Achili, a suspect linked to an armed robbery syndicate that has been terrorizing commuters along the Abuja-Keffi road and parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to SP Ramhan Nansel, the command’s public relations officer, Achili was caught red-handed while wearing military camouflage—a ruse to impersonate a soldier. “Upon interrogation, he confessed to wearing the uniform deceitfully and engaging in armed robbery,” he disclosed. Investigations revealed that Achili is a member of a sophisticated criminal outfit known for its daring operations. The syndicate, which…

The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in Nigeria, Wema Bank has entered into a landmark partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). The collaboration, solidified by a Memorandum of Understanding, seeks to empower a staggering 800,000 MSMEs through comprehensive training and resource provisions. The initiative, announced through a statement on Friday, underscores Wema Bank’s commitment to fostering economic growth by equipping entrepreneurs with essential soft skills, technical know-how, and business acumen. Over the next 12 to 18 months, Wema Bank will spearhead training sessions designed to enhance the capabilities of MSMEs, enabling them…

Former Governor Achike Udenwa of Imo State has raised startling allegations, revealing the extent to which money influences electoral outcomes in Nigeria. In a candid interview on Edmund Obilo’s State Affairs podcast, Udenwa asserted that wealthy politicians can purchase not only votes but also the integrity of critical institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and even the army. “Our society has regrettably reached a point where electoral success hinges more on financial capacity than on merit or public trust,” Udenwa remarked. He emphasized that Nigerian voters often neglect to scrutinize candidates’ backgrounds and capabilities, instead…