Author: Platform Times Newspaper

…Says Politicians Funding Armed Groups Behind School Attacks … Warns He Will Publicly Name Them If Violence Continues Daud Olatunji The Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has threatened to expose politicians allegedly backing kidnappers behind the abduction of schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Igboho, who spoke during a meeting with new executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Ibadan, alleged that some political actors were sponsoring armed groups, supplying them with weapons and funds to destabilise parts of the country. The controversy comes amid rising tension following the May…

At least 49 people have died of thirst in the Sahara desert in northern Niger after a truck conveying them from Mali broke down in an isolated stretch of the desert, authorities in the Agadez region have confirmed. The victims, said to be returning from a religious festival in Mali, were stranded in one of the most hostile corridors of the Sahara after the vehicle suffered a mechanical failure and could not be repaired, leaving passengers exposed to extreme heat and total lack of water. In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, the Agadez governorate said the tragedy occurred…

The Federal Government says work on the constitutional framework required for the establishment of state police is now at an advanced stage, signalling a major step toward decentralising Nigeria’s policing system amid worsening security challenges. The Presidency disclosed that months of consultations involving the executive, the National Assembly, and security chiefs have significantly progressed, with attention now shifting to constitutional amendments that will make state policing legally possible. The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, gave the update on Thursday after a high-level meeting held at the State House, Abuja, on the proposed state police structure. Gbajabiamila said…

The Chairperson of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Abeokuta Chapter, Alhaji (Chief) Jamiu Adebayo Badmos, has called on environmental professionals and residents to take concrete action against climate change by embracing tree planting and sustainable environmental practices. In a special message to mark the 2026 World Environment Day, Badmos stressed that environmental protection remains a shared responsibility that cannot be left to government alone, but must be driven by deliberate individual and community actions. He noted that the annual global observance serves as a reminder of the urgent need to safeguard the environment against worsening climate conditions, pollution, and ecological…

The Peace Initiative Committee (PIC), Ogun Central, has called on residents across the senatorial district to remain highly vigilant and prioritise personal safety amid growing security concerns in parts of the state. The committee, in a public safety advisory issued on Thursday, urged citizens to avoid unnecessary movements at night and to reconsider non-essential night journeys, warning that such actions expose individuals to avoidable risks. It further advised residents to patronise only accredited motor parks for interstate and intra-city travel, stressing the importance of security-conscious commuting habits. According to the committee, passengers should also ensure they carry valid means of…

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has disclosed that security operatives foiled an alleged plot by some youths to bomb the Ondo State Government House following a coordinated intelligence-led operation. Aiyedatiwa said the suspects were arrested after weeks of surveillance, adding that materials suspected to be linked to the planned attack were recovered during the raid. The governor made the disclosure on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he described the incident as one of several security successes recorded in the state through proactive intelligence gathering. According to him, security agencies had received credible intelligence about three…

Tension gripped parts of Odogbolu Local Government Area on Thursday following the arrest of two suspected herders found in possession of a large sum of money, sparking controversy and divided opinions among residents. The individuals, identified by locals as Fulani herders, were reportedly apprehended by security operatives in the Atiba area of the council. Viral videos and images circulating on social media showed the suspects surrounded by security personnel, with claims that they were carrying a substantial amount of cash at the time of arrest. However, as of press time, the Ogun State Police Command had yet to officially confirm…

A tricycle rider identified simply as IK has allegedly beaten his partner to death and abandoned her lifeless body alongside their two young children in a tricycle in Port Harcourt. The incident, which occurred along CPM Street in Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, has thrown residents into shock and grief. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the suspect allegedly assaulted the woman late Monday night at a guest house, inflicting fatal injuries on her before attempting to move her body. A resident, who identified himself as Senibo, said neighbours were alerted early Tuesday morning after the disturbing discovery of the woman’s…

The Oyo State Police Command on Thursday dismissed as false reports circulating on social media that pupils and teachers abducted in parts of the state had regained their freedom. The police described the claims as misleading and capable of undermining ongoing rescue operations, urging residents to disregard the information. The victims were abducted from Ahoro, Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, sparking widespread concern over rising insecurity in the area. In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the command said there had been no confirmed development regarding the…

…Says Corruption Claims Worsen Wave Of School Kidnappings Nationwide …Urges Tinubu To Direct EFCC, AGF To Trace, Recover Missing Funds Daud Olatunji The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on President Bola Tinubu to order an immediate investigation into the alleged diversion and mismanagement of N145bn earmarked for the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative. The group said the call became imperative following persistent attacks on schools and the abduction of over 600 pupils and teachers across the country between March 2024 and May 2026, despite huge budgetary allocations to safeguard educational institutions. In a statement on Thursday signed by…