Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Headline: Four Family Members Escape ISWAP Enclave, Surrender To Troops In Borno By PLATFORM TIMES Four family members who fled an enclave controlled by the Islamic State West Africa Province have surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The individuals, comprising two women, a teenage boy and a 10-month-old baby, reportedly escaped from the Kunde terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains before turning themselves in to troops of C Company, 192 Battalion (Mechanised), at about 8:30 a.m. on Friday. Counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the development, identifying the family members as Hauwa…

Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province, have reportedly exploited artificial intelligence tools to improve bomb-making techniques, refine battlefield strategies and strengthen operational planning, according to a report by The New York Times. The report, which cited interviews conducted by terrorism and technology researcher Antonia Juelich of the University of Cambridge, revealed that former commanders of the insurgent groups admitted using multiple AI-powered chatbots, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok and DeepSeek, to obtain technical guidance. According to the report, one of the former Boko Haram commanders recounted how the group turned to AI after a…

The Ijebu Traditional Council on Friday endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as YAYI, ahead of the 2027 governorship election. The endorsement came during a consultative visit by the senator to the council at the palace of the late Awujale of Ijebuland in Ijebu-Ode. Adeola, accompanied by Governor Dapo Abiodun and top leaders of the APC in the state, met with members of the council to seek the support and blessings of the traditional rulers as preparations begin for the 2027 governorship race. Speaking at the meeting, Abiodun…

The Council of Fulani Chiefs in the South-West has commended President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and security agencies for the successful rescue of schoolchildren and their teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The council described the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity, saying it demonstrated the professionalism, resilience and effective coordination of Nigeria’s security agencies. In a statement issued on Friday by its Media Office, the council, led by its Chairman and Sarki Fulani of Lagos, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Bambado II, expressed delight that the victims regained their freedom…

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has commended security agencies and the governments of the federation for the successful rescue of abducted teachers and pupils in Oyo State, describing the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping and violent extremism. The rights group, however, warned that the country’s worsening insecurity requires sustained and coordinated action beyond isolated rescue operations, calling for a nationwide offensive against kidnappers, bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements. In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its National President, Comrade Yinka Folarin, and National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Adewunmi Adesina, the…

…Move Ends Speculation Over Vice-President’s Place On Ruling Party’s Ticket ….APC Stakeholders Rally Behind President As Re-election Campaign Begins Daud Olatunji President Bola Tinubu has formally kicked off his re-election campaign for the 2027 presidential election after submitting his All Progressives Congress nomination forms and retaining Vice-President Kashim Shettima as his running mate. The development ended weeks of speculation over the composition of the APC presidential ticket ahead of the next general election. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, submitted the nomination forms on behalf of the President and Shettima during a ceremony held on Friday at the…

The Dangote Group has been honoured with the Road Safety Corporate Excellence Award in recognition of its contributions to promoting safer transportation, accident prevention and responsible road use across Nigeria. The award was presented by the Kogi State Government during the Kogi State Road Safety Stakeholders Conference held in Lokoja, the state capital. The event brought together government officials, road safety regulators, transport operators and industry leaders to discuss strategies for reducing road crashes, improving traffic management and strengthening safety standards. Presenting the award, the Kogi State Commissioner for Transport, Atuluku Victor Levi, said the honour recognised Dangote Group’s sustained…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arraigned an alleged drug kingpin, Anochili Innocent, alongside three Mexican nationals and seven other suspects before the Federal High Court in Lagos over the alleged operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory valued at more than N480bn. The defendants were arraigned before Justice Musa Kakaki on Friday on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful production and possession of methamphetamine, operation of a drug trafficking organisation, and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals. The Mexican nationals charged are Juan Carlos Meza Torrero, 49; Nemecio Martinez Felix, 46; and Jesus López Valles, 40. The other defendants…

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday said the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area occurred barely hours after he declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election. Makinde made the remark while addressing leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed in Bauchi, where he reflected on the May 15 attack, saying Oyo State had not witnessed a similar incident throughout his seven years in office. According to the governor, the timing of the kidnapping remains striking. “For seven years, we didn’t witness anything like this in Oyo State. I…

The Presidency has disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers involved in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been arrested, while several others were killed during a rescue operation that ended the victims’ 56-day captivity. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development on Friday, saying the suspects were currently in the custody of the Department of State Services. The latest disclosure came hours after the Presidency confirmed the successful rescue of all the abducted pupils and teachers who were seized by gunmen during coordinated attacks…