Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Mallam Yathabalwe, the notorious Boko Haram commander responsible for orchestrating heinous attacks and the slaughter of farmers in Borno State, has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai.  The Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, disclosed this significant development, expressing relief for the beleaguered communities under Yathabalwe’s reign of terror. Before his surrender, Yathabalwe’s ruthless exploits had plunged Gwoza and neighboring Mandara Mountain communities into a state of perpetual fear and anguish.  His notoriety stemmed from a series of brutal attacks, particularly targeting farmers, which left a trail of devastation and despair in their wake. According to the Emir’s…

The Lagos District of The Companion, an association of Muslim professionals has  expressed profound grief over the demise of one of its esteemed leaders, Prof. Muhammad Olatunde Ya’qub. Prof. Ya’qub, a distinguished scholar in Arabic linguistics and a Senior Lecturer at the Foreign Languages Department of Lagos State University, Ojo, passed away following Tawaf in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, last Sunday, March 24, 2024. The statement, signed by Tajudeen Balogun, Head of the District’s Directorate of Public Affairs, conveyed the shock felt by The Companion at the tragic news while acknowledging Allah’s grace in allowing the late academic to lead a…

Three students of Al-qalam University, Katsina, have dragged the institution to a High Court in Katsina over the payment of their registration fees. The applicants, Hauwa’u Sani-Barda, Rabi’atu Sani-Barda and Hafsat Sani-Barda, all students of the respondent, got admission in 2018 and 2019 and graduated in 2022 and 2023. They, however, claimed that the respondents had refused to mobilise them for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), because they had not settled all fees due to the institution. During the proceedings today, the applicants’ counsel, Muhammad Mukhtar-Lawal, told the court that his clients had filed an exparte motion in…

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced the successful restoration of the national grid following a ‘system disturbance’ that occurred at about 4:28 pm on Thursday, March 28, 2024.  According to TCN, full recovery was achieved by 10:00 pm the same day. A report from the National Control Centre (NCC) in Osogbo, Osun State, cited by TCN, revealed that the system disturbance was triggered by a significant reduction in generation capacity, primarily due to gas constraints.  “This reduction led to a rapid decline in system frequency, creating a sudden imbalance in the grid,” TCN stated. The imbalance in grid…

The traditional ruler of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Ughelli South LGA, His Royal Majesty, Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, found himself at the center of a high-profile investigation as he was declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in connection with the murder of 17 military personnel in Okwuama, Ughelli South LGA. In a dramatic turn of events, the monarch voluntarily surrendered to the Delta police command on Thursday.  However, instead of facing local authorities, he was swiftly transported to Abuja for further interrogation. Escorted by the Commanding Officer of the 63 Brigade Nigeria Army Asaba, the Delta State Police Commissioner,…

The Special Adviser on Housing, Hon. Tajudeen Olanrewaju Egunjobi has  empowered over five hundred members of the party in Ward 12 of Abeokuta South Local Government Area. The empowering event, which took place at the ward meeting ofthe All Progressives Congress was met with jubilation and excitement among party faithful from Kuto, Imo, Igbein, Okeyeke, Oke eri, and Amolaso areas. Notable personalities present at the gathering included Chief Bamidele ILori, the APC Public Relations Officer for Abeokuta South LG; Alhaji Olajide Kusimo, the Chairman of Ward 12; Hon. Ogunfolaji, the Youth Leader; and other ward executives. Expressing gratitude to the…

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that a Federal High Court in Borno State has ordered the release of 313 suspected terrorists who were previously arrested by the military. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, briefed journalists on Thursday regarding military operations nationwide, shedding light on this judicial decision. Buba explained that the court ruled in favour of releasing the suspects due to insufficient evidence against them following the conclusion of investigations. Emphasizing the military’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, Buba assured that the military would comply with the court order and transfer the suspects to…

Nigeria grapples with yet another nationwide blackout as the national electricity grid suffered a collapse for the second time in three months in 2024. Managed centrally from Osogbo, Osun state, the grid collapsed at 4:30 pm on Thursday, plunging millions of homes and businesses into darkness. Various distribution companies (DisCos) reported inactive feeders, leading to widespread blackouts across the country. Data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) revealed that the grid collapsed at approximately 4 pm, dropping from 2,984 megawatts (MW) to zero within an hour, with all 21 plants connected to the grid ceasing operations by 5 pm.…

Daud Olatunji The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed a new recapitalization requirement of N500 billion on commercial, merchant, and non-interest banks .  This development comes amidst the backdrop of prevailing macroeconomic challenges and various external and domestic shocks. In a statement signed by Haruna Mustafa, the Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department at the CBN, the apex bank highlighted the necessity of this increase to bolster the resilience, solvency, and capacity of banks in supporting the growth of the Nigerian economy. Under the new guidelines, commercial banks with international licenses are required to increase their capital…

Supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, erupted in jubilation as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court representative at the Kogi Election Tribunal revealed that Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo’s affidavit was fraudulent and not issued by the court. The tribunal, amidst the electoral dispute stemming from the November 11, 2023 Kogi election, witnessed Ajaka’s lawsuit against Ododo for alleged certificate forgery, seeking to invalidate his election victory. Ajaka had vehemently contested the authenticity of Ododo’s age declaration, asserting it was issued on a non-working day, Saturday, August 2, 2003. The revelation surfaced…