Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Seven inmates detained at Kano custodial centres have regained their freedom after the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, ordered their release on medical grounds. Justice Aboki issued the order during a jail delivery exercise in which she reviewed the cases of 82 awaiting-trial persons detained at the Kurmawa and Goron Dutse Custodial Centres. The exercise, according to the Kano State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, was aimed at speeding up the administration of criminal justice, protecting the rights of detainees and reducing congestion in custodial facilities. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Musbahu Lawan, disclosed…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has kicked against the increasing conversion of non-teaching staff, including registrars, bursars and administrative officers, into academic positions in public universities, describing the practice as a threat to standards and due process. The ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, raised the concern on Friday at a news conference in Jos, Plateau State, warning vice-chancellors and the National Universities Commission to halt what he described as an emerging anomaly in the university system. Piwuna said the union had observed an upsurge in the conversion of administrative and technical staff to academic positions without compliance with established…

Daud Olatunji The Nigeria Police Force has deployed more than 15,000 personnel, 30 Commissioners of Police and specialised surveillance assets ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State. The police also announced the deployment of a Deputy Inspector-General of Police to coordinate the security operations, while helicopters and drones will be used to monitor the state before, during and immediately after the poll. The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this on Thursday in Osogbo while briefing journalists on the security preparations for the election. The massive deployment covers the state’s 30 local government areas, with the police…

Today on Platform Times Newspaper, 14th August, 2026. Visit www.platformtimes.com.ng for many more stories.

Daud Olatunji The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 6,035 parcels of suspected cannabis, including Ghana Loud/Indica, alongside 2,339 bags of foreign parboiled rice and other prohibited items with a combined duty-paid value of ₦3.57bn. The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller OO Afenif, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State. Afenif said the seizures were made from June 24, 2026, as part of intensified operations against smuggling along the nation’s borders. The items seized also included 70 cartons of basmati rice, 30 bags of foreign sugar,…

Daud Olatunji Panic and grief have gripped Kassa community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State after seven miners were killed when a mining pit collapsed on them while they were working at the site. The incident reportedly occurred around 7pm on Wednesday, leaving residents and fellow miners scrambling to rescue those trapped underground. The miners were said to have been working at the site when the earth suddenly gave way, burying them beneath the collapsed section of the mining pit. A resident, Albert Danlami, who confirmed the incident, said members of the community and other miners immediately…

Daud Olatunji A farmer identified as Mr Dada has been killed by suspected bandits while working on his farm in Oshokoshoko, Oworo, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State. The incident, which reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning, has heightened fears among farmers and residents in the community, with calls for urgent deployment of security personnel to vulnerable farming areas. Oshokoshoko is located along the Obajana–Kabba corridor, an important route linking several communities in Kogi State. According to community sources, Dada had left for his farm in the morning but failed to return home as expected. His family members reportedly became…

Daud Olatunji At least 168 solar-powered streetlights installed along the Longbridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have been stolen by suspected vandals, plunging parts of the busy highway into darkness and raising fresh concerns about road safety and security. The lighting infrastructure was installed in 2025 along the approximately five-kilometre bridge to improve visibility for motorists, particularly at night, and reduce the risk of crashes and criminal activities on the strategic route. However, the gradual removal of the streetlights has reportedly left several sections of the bridge without adequate illumination. The development has triggered concern among motorists and business operators…

The National Union of Air Transport Employees has raised the alarm over the alleged non-remittance of about ₦25bn in Ticket Sales Charges, warning that the development is weakening aviation agencies and putting workers’ welfare and operations at risk. The NUATE Chairman in the Federal Capital Territory, Ahmed Yusuf, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria. Yusuf said the money represented the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge collected from passengers and meant to be distributed among relevant aviation agencies. He alleged that the failure of airline operators to remit the charges had…

Daud Olatunji A recently rescued kidnap victim in Kogi State, Victor Anyichie, has recounted how he was severely beaten by his abductors after telling them that his family could only raise N500,000 as ransom. Anyichie was among 16 passengers abducted when armed men attacked commuters along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area of the state. The victims were rescued on Monday during a joint security operation involving personnel of the Nigerian Army, Navy, police and local vigilantes along the Ajaokuta-Anyigba road. A local hunter was killed while a police officer sustained injuries during the operation. Speaking…