Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd), former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has been released after 56 days in the hands of kidnappers. Tsiga, who was abducted on February 5, 2025, from his hometown in Bakori Local Government Area, Katsina State, regained his freedom on April 2, 2025. Sources confirmed that Tsiga was initially abducted alongside nine other individuals, sparking a wave of concern across the nation. Despite a significant ransom payment by his family, which reports indicate to be in the region of N180 million, Tsiga remained in captivity for weeks, leading to a tense standoff with the…

The Kano State Police Command has launched an investigation into the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, over his alleged defiance of a police ban on durbar activities during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, which led to violence in the state. Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, on Wednesday, inaugurated an eight-member Special Investigation Panel (SIP) to examine the violence that erupted on Sunday, March 30, 2025, following the Emir’s Eid procession. A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the panel would uncover the root causes of the violence and determine…

The Edo State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has controversially extended the service year of over 30 corps members by an additional 90 days without pay for airing grievances about their unpaid N77,000 allowance. This penalty follows their protests, which were shared in a WhatsApp group, raising concerns over the non-payment of their stipends. The affected corps members, who had completed their one-year mandatory service on March 17, 2025, were instead given a “Notification of Extension of Service” rather than their expected NYSC Discharge Certificates. Reports reveal that the extension stems from their complaints about the allowance, which were voiced…

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced Okunfulure Olusola Steve to three months’ imprisonment for failing to declare $30,000 while attempting to board a flight to Atlanta, United States. The ruling was delivered by Justice Deinde I. Dipeolu on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, following the defendant’s guilty plea to a money laundering charge. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought a one-count charge against the defendant after his arrest on March 28, 2025, by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, during routine checks. Steve, a passenger on a Delta…

The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has upheld the electoral victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo, dismissing the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo. The tribunal’s ruling on Wednesday solidifies Okpebholo’s position as the duly elected governor of Edo State. Delivering the lead judgment, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, declared that the three-member panel found no substantial grounds to nullify the governorship election conducted on September 21, 2024. The tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to provide sufficient evidence to warrant overturning the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC)…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has debunked claims that it is introducing N5,000 and N10,000 banknotes, describing the report as false and misleading. In a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, the apex bank urged Nigerians to disregard the report, which falsely attributed the move to a supposed Deputy Governor of the bank, Ibrahim Tahir Jr. “The content is not from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Kindly note that the official website of the CBN is cbn.gov.ng,” the statement read. The bank’s communications department further clarified that the CBN has not issued any directive regarding the…

Feyisayo Ogunbiyi In a recent investigation conducted by PLATFORM TIMES, it has been revealed that twenty local government areas across Ogun State collectively shared a substantial sum of N8,921,835,442.20 in December 2024. This allocation, sourced from BudgiT, sheds light on the distribution of funds among the councils during this period. Among the local governments, Ado-Odo/Ota emerged as the top beneficiary, receiving a significant portion amounting to N755,023,001.48. Following closely, Ifo secured N746,984,433.76, while Ijebu North obtained N545,100,443.69. Abeokuta South and Obafemi local governments also received substantial allocations, collecting N500,587,070.70 and N497,780,299.95 respectively. Abeokuta North and Egbado North were not left…

The Ogun State Police Command has heightened security at the Sagamu Interchange, leading to the arrest of three suspects and the dismantling of illegal activities in the area. Following recent concerns over security at the interchange, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, led an extensive operation to assess and reinforce safety measures. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the move comes amid reports circulating on social media regarding a security incident on March 21, 2025, though no formal complaints were lodged at any police station. The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Omolola Odutola in a statement said CP Ogunlowo…

Daud Olatunji The youth of Ipokia Local Government in Ogun State have issued a stern warning to the state government, threatening a massive protest over its continued silence on the lingering fuel supply crisis affecting border communities. The youths, under the aegis of the Ipokia Local Government Youth Forum (IPYF), decried the hardship inflicted by the Federal Government’s 20-kilometer petrol supply suspension policy, which they described as “inhumane and demonic.” PLATFORM TIMES reports that the crisis has started since 2019 when the Federal Government ordered the shut down of the border and suspension of fuel around the border communities. In…

Lafarge Africa Plc has reinforced its commitment to gender inclusion with the graduation of 17 female truck drivers under its Women-on-Wheels (WoW) initiative. The graduation ceremony, held on Wednesday at the Lafarge Driving Institute in Ewekoro, Ogun State, marks another milestone in the company’s efforts to foster diversity in Nigeria’s transport and logistics sector. The event drew key stakeholders, including government officials, representatives from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and industry leaders. Speaking at the ceremony, Lafarge Africa’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, described the programme as a game-changer in the logistics industry. “At Lafarge…