Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Panic has gripped the Federal Civil Service following the abduction of six Directors of the Federal Ministry of Defence by gunmen along the Kabba–Lokoja highway on Monday. The senior officials were reportedly travelling from Lagos to Abuja to participate in a Directorate-level promotion examination when their convoy was ambushed by the armed men in what sources described as a “well-coordinated attack.” The incident has sparked outrage and anxiety within the Ministry of Defence and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), which described the abduction as a major security lapse. In a statement jointly signed by the ASCSN…

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, says no fewer than 332 migrants were recently denied entry into Nigeria at the Seme border in Lagos State for lacking valid travel documents. Nandap disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation seminar titled “Evolving Patterns in Smuggling of Migrants: Towards a Coordinated National Response.” She explained that the action formed part of efforts by the service to tighten border governance and improve Nigeria’s migration management systems. “In addition, 294 Nigerian nationals, suspected to be departing as part of the ‘Japa syndrome’ phenomenon, were refused exit…

…  Says Some Of Them  Still In Power Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused a powerful cabal within the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari of frustrating efforts to implement genuine electoral reforms. Amaechi, who spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Electoral Reforms Summit organised by the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), said the late Buhari’s intention to overhaul Nigeria’s electoral process was deliberately thwarted by those close to him in government. He alleged that some of those who sabotaged the reforms are currently serving in the present administration. “Most Nigerians who talk about electoral reform,…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has again stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from going ahead with its planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. Justice Peter Lifu, who issued the fresh order on Tuesday, also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of the convention where new national officers were expected to emerge. The order followed an application filed by a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, who accused the PDP leadership of denying him the opportunity to purchase the chairmanship nomination form, thereby…

The Federal Government has opened diplomatic talks with the United States following President Donald Trump’s threat to launch a military attack on Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in an interview with Sky News, saying diplomatic efforts were underway to calm tensions and correct misconceptions surrounding Nigeria’s security situation. “Channels of communication have been opened. I can confirm that we are talking with them, and I think they are understanding the situation better,” Idris said. He explained that the Federal Government was engaging Washington through diplomatic channels to ensure a…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday presented certificates of return to Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and his deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, following their victory in the November 8 governorship election. The certificates were presented by the Supervising INEC National Commissioner in charge of the Anambra election, Kenneth Ukeagu, at the commission’s state headquarters in Awka. Speaking during the ceremony, Ukeagu said the presentation marked the formal conclusion of the electoral process and reflected the confidence reposed in the governor and his deputy by the people of Anambra. He stated that the action was in line with Section…

A dramatic confrontation broke out on Tuesday between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a group of armed soldiers who prevented him and his entourage from accessing a disputed parcel of land in the Gaduwa District of Abuja. Wike, who was on an inspection visit with senior FCT officials, was reportedly stopped at the gate by military personnel who insisted they were acting on “orders from above.” The incident quickly escalated into a heated face-off, with the visibly angry minister accusing the soldiers of lawlessness and abuse of power. “This is unprofessional. You cannot be…

…Demands BSc Or HND As Minimum Qualification For Elective Offices Daud Olatunji Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has urged the Federal Government to impose a lifetime ban on leaders convicted of corruption or abuse of power, including any complicit family members and associates. Amosun described corruption as “the greatest betrayal of leadership,” stressing that those who abuse public trust have no moral or ethical justification to return to governance. The former governor made the call in Ibadan, Oyo State, while delivering a lecture at the 2nd Lam Adesina Annual Lecture Series, themed “Sustaining a Legacy of Effective Leadership…

Six people were on Tuesday arraigned before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Isabo, on charges of impersonation, unlawful preparation of land instruments and conduct likely to cause a breach of the public peace. The accused — Rebecca Adeola, 32; Moses Toviesi, 23; Abimbola Opeyemi, 43; Precious Oluwole, 18; Eniola Sowunmi, 33; and Agbona Abdulrahman, 36 — pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge, the prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court. Olu-Balogun said the offences were committed at Isabo area of Abeokuta sometime in 2025 and involved unlawfully representing themselves as legal practitioners and preparing land documents without authorisation. He…

Jelil Lawal & Firdaus Obiremi Barely 24 hours after PLATFORM TIMES reported the heartbreaking story of 15-year-old Ayomide Matthew — a school dropout found scavenging for survival in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital — another out-of-school teenager has been discovered at the same location, living under similar circumstances. The new discovery came after the earlier report on Ayomide attracted responses from concerned citizens, including the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu. Following the reactions, PLATFORM TIMES revisited the scene in search of Ayomide and found him alongside another 15-year-old boy identified as Basit Akanni, both…