Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 75-year-old grandfather, a 33-year-old major drug supplier, and several other suspects in a series of nationwide raids that led to the seizure of massive consignments of cannabis, opioids, and other illicit substances. NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Sunday. According to the agency, the septuagenarian suspect, Uchelue Ikechukwu, was apprehended at Umudioka in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State with 26.7kg of cannabis (skunk) on Thursday, August 28. Six other suspects — Eneh Makuo, Emmanuel Chiemeli, Uwakwe Matthew, Chukwujekwu…

The Lagos State Police Command has announced a restriction on this year’s Egungun festival, barring masqueraders and their followers from engaging in street parades across the state. The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying all festival activities must now be confined to designated venues and approved outing points. Hundeyin explained that the measure was taken to forestall violence and prevent clashes between rival groups, which have been reported in parts of Lagos during previous celebrations. He stressed that the directive was also aimed at safeguarding lives, protecting property, and ensuring that the rights…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ebonyi State, alongside academics, lawyers, and civil society actors, has condemned the proposed salary increment for political officeholders, describing it as unjustifiable amid worsening economic hardship. Speaking in Abakaliki on Sunday, the NLC chairman in the state, Egwu Oguguo, urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to shelve the plan and focus instead on improving the welfare of ordinary Nigerians. Oguguo, who also lectures at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, argued that the proposal was “anti-people and against the law of natural justice.” “It is very insensitive to contemplate raising the pay of…

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has accused the administration of Governor Uba Sani of sponsoring thugs who disrupted a meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition in Kaduna on Saturday. El-Rufai, who spoke during a live interview on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme, alleged that security operatives provided cover for the attackers, describing the incident as “state-backed thuggery.” “It is very stupid for anyone to think I would invite thugs to invade an event of my own party,” the former governor said. “The police were there. They saw what happened. They even provided protection for…

A food vendor identified simply as Amaye has been lynched and set ablaze by a mob in Kasuwan-Garba, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, over alleged blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, after the woman allegedly made remarks considered offensive during a heated exchange with a customer at her restaurant. Eyewitnesses said the customer had jokingly proposed marriage to her, citing the tradition of the Prophet, when she allegedly made the statement that triggered outrage. Amaye was reportedly taken to the palace of the district head, who handed her over to security operatives for…

The Ogun State chapter of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has accused the state government of engaging in political persecution following the reported move to demolish properties belonging to former governor and serving senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. CUPP, states this at a press conference held in Abeokuta on  Sunday  addressed by its State Chairman, Otunba Femi Soluade. He described the alleged demolition threat as “a shameful abuse of power” targeted at humiliating the two-term former governor. According to the opposition coalition, the reported decision of the state government to mark Daniel’s private residence and hotel for demolition amounted…

After more than a decade as the face of Television Continental’s flagship breakfast talk show Your View, ace broadcaster Morayo Afolabi-Brown has signed off, leaving behind an inspiring legacy of impact, especially among Nigerian women at home and abroad. Morayo, who anchored the popular programme for 12 years, bowed out on Friday in an emotional farewell episode filled with tributes from colleagues, fans and notable personalities. Viewers recounted how the show helped shape conversations on politics, social issues and family life. One fan from the United Kingdom said watching the programme kept her connected to home and helped her cope…

…Half of Nigeria’s cases involve children …Borno govt pledges support for affected families At least 284,000 people have been declared missing worldwide, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has revealed, warning that the figure represents one of the most painful humanitarian crises of modern times. Head of Sub-Delegation of the ICRC Maiduguri Field Office, Diana Japaridza, disclosed this on Saturday in Maiduguri during an event to mark the International Day of the Disappeared, set aside annually on August 30 by the United Nations. Japaridza said Nigeria accounts for about 24,000 active cases of missing persons, the highest in…

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reiterated that Nigeria’s correctional facilities must serve as centres of rehabilitation and transformation rather than prisons of condemnation. Tunji-Ojo made the remark on Saturday in Niger State during the signing of performance bonds with agencies under the Ministry of Interior. According to him, ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) are yielding results, but he stressed the need to sustain the momentum. “Correctional Service is becoming transformational, rehabilitatory and reformatory — and that is exactly what I want to see,” he said. “I don’t want our correctional centres to be places of…

Athletes representing Ogun State at the ongoing National Youth Games in Delta State have cried out over what they described as inhumane treatment after being left without accommodation, forcing many of them to sleep in the open under the rain. Some of the athletes and officials, who spoke with PLATFORM TIMES, expressed frustration that despite travelling long distances to represent the state, they were abandoned without access to basic necessities such as water, electricity, and proper shelter. Since arriving at the Games village on Friday, the Ogun contingent — comprising athletes, coaches, medical personnel, and security officials — said they…