Author: Platform Times Newspaper

No fewer than 80 worshippers abducted during a Sunday church service in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have escaped from their captors and reunited with their families, PLATFORM TIMES reports. The victims were among over 160 worshippers seized about two weeks ago when armed bandits stormed the church during worship, triggering widespread outrage and renewed calls for improved security in the area. Confirming the development on Sunday, the Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, said initial reports had put the number of abducted worshippers at about 177, but verification later showed that 80…

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, has dismissed claims circulating on social media that anti-snake venom was unavailable during the treatment of late fast-rising musician, Ms Ifunanya Lucy Nwagene, who died after a snake bite. In a statement issued on Sunday, the hospital’s Head of Clinical Services, Dr Bioku Muftau, said the medical team acted promptly and professionally on the patient’s arrival, administering emergency care, including resuscitation, intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy and polyvalent anti-snake venom. Muftau explained that Nwagene, who sustained the snake bite on January 31, 2026, died from severe neurotoxic complications associated with the venom, despite aggressive medical…

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has disclosed that he may soon formally join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing himself as being “in transition” politically. Musa, a former Chief of Defence Staff, made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme on Sunday. When asked if he had embraced partisan politics, the minister said, “I’ve not transited yet. I’m in transition.” Pressed further on whether he would join the APC, he added, “Not yet, but I think I will. Definitely. The APC has given me the platform to present myself right from when…

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for what it described as significant progress toward establishing a regulatory framework for Community Networks aimed at expanding connectivity in underserved areas. In a statement issued on Sunday in Kano, CITAD’s Executive Director, Y.Z. Ya’u, said the development marked a major milestone in efforts to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities where commercial operators have limited presence. Ya’u noted that Community Networks offer a practical, people-driven solution to delivering affordable and inclusive communication services, adding that a clear and enabling regulatory…

The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) has faulted the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), over what it described as “unlawful and misleading” claims to organise senior officers of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). In a statement on Sunday, SSASCGOC said recent demands by AUPCTRE for the remittance of check-off dues from ITF officers on Grade Level 07 and above were contrary to existing court judgments and the provisions of the Trade Union Act. The union noted that the Court…

Daud Olatunji The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State on Sunday recorded a major political boost with the formal registration of Prince Kazeem Adeyanju Olanrewaju Bakinson, the Aare Mayegun of Owu Kingdom and convener of the Ajiboshin Platform. Bakinson, who serves in the Lagos State Government, registered at Oke-Ago Owu Ward in Abeokuta North Local Government Area, a development party stakeholders described as a strategic gain ahead of fresh political realignments in the state. Speaking shortly after collecting his membership slip, Bakinson said his decision to join the APC was anchored on the party’s commitment to good governance, grassroots…

… Praises FX Stability, Security Gains … Targets APC Governorship Ticket Daud Olatunji  A former senator and daughter of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has declared that she is prepared to succeed Governor Dapo Abiodun in 2027, insisting she will not step down for any aspirant in the race for the Ogun State governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress. Obasanjo made this known on Saturday during a media parley held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, where she also applauded the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu, describing them as critical steps toward stabilising the nation’s economy.…

…Four Killed, Homes Razed In Amasiri-Okporojo Conflict … Security Agencies Vow Swift Arrest Of Perpetrators Daud Olatunji Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has sacked political appointees and revoked the recognition of traditional rulers in the Amasiri community following a violent land dispute that left four people dead and several properties destroyed. The crisis erupted between Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area and neighbouring Okporojo village in Oso community of Edda Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses said the clash was brutal, with homes razed and lives lost in gruesome circumstances. Speaking during a visit to Okporojo on Saturday, Governor Nwifuru…

Daud Olatunji The 35th convocation ceremony of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, witnessed a blend of celebration and responsibility on Saturday, as Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, urged graduates to see their degrees as instruments for national development while Governor Dapo Abiodun reinforced his administration’s commitment to education with cash awards for top-performing students. Delivering the convocation lecture, Tijani told students that the true measure of their success is the impact of their knowledge on society, not the certificate itself. He stressed that universities must go beyond producing graduates to producing solutions that…

A recent graduate of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Oladipupo Opeyemi, has regained her freedom after spending nine harrowing days in the hands of kidnappers. The release was confirmed on Friday night in a statement issued by Dr. Wasiu Tejuoso on behalf of the Olajide Oladipupo-Ogunmokun family and the Mass Communication Department of the institution. “I am happy to announce that the kidnapped graduate of our department, Miss Opeyemi Oladipupo, was released last night after nine days in captivity,” the statement read. Opeyemi, who graduated from the Mass Communication Department last year, was abducted on Wednesday night, sparking widespread concern…