Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The death toll from Lassa fever in Nigeria has climbed to 168 in 2025, according to the latest epidemiological report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The report, covering epidemiological Week 38, revealed a slight rise in fatalities from 166 to 168, pushing the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) to 18.5 per cent — higher than the 16.9 per cent recorded within the same period in 2024. So far, the country has recorded 7,792 suspected cases and 906 confirmed infections across 21 states and 106 local government areas. The NCDC disclosed that Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and…

Residents of several communities in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State have raised the alarm over worsening bandit attacks that have left at least ten people dead, scores abducted, and more than 500 livestock rustled in recent weeks. The community leaders, who addressed a press conference on Saturday, described the situation as unbearable, saying the absence of government intervention was forcing citizens into despair and fear of resorting to self-defence. Speaking on behalf of the communities, Alhaji Adamu Haruna from Kebbe town lamented that residents could no longer access their farms, markets, or even move freely without the threat…

Tragedy struck the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday as gunmen abducted and murdered a renowned veterinary doctor, Dr. Ifeanyi Ogbu, in his Kubwa residence, leaving his three children in the custody of their abductors. Ogbu, who was the immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), FCT chapter, was reportedly seized alongside his children in the early hours of the day. His corpse was later discovered dumped by the roadside, sparking outrage and grief within the veterinary community and beyond. A close associate, Andrew Gabriel Ikechukwu, confirmed the killing in a Facebook post, lamenting that while the doctor’s…

No fewer than 5,000 residents of Kirawa, a border town in Borno State, have fled into neighbouring Cameroon following a deadly attack by Boko Haram insurgents that left homes, vehicles, and a military barracks in ruins. The assault, which occurred on Thursday, saw the insurgents storm the community in large numbers, torching residential buildings, heavy-duty equipment, and the district head’s house. Eyewitnesses said the fighters overran the military outpost in the town and set it ablaze while chanting victory songs. Boko Haram later released a video claiming responsibility for the invasion. The footage showed fighters boasting of their assault and…

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to rise above religious divisions and embrace unity, stressing that faith should be a bond and not a barrier. Tinubu made the call on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State, during the funeral service of Mrs. Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda. Speaking at the service, the President drew from his personal life to emphasise the possibility of peaceful coexistence among adherents of different faiths. “I inherited Islam from my family. I didn’t change. But my wife is a pastor. She prays for me. No conflict. And I…

The Armed Forces of Nigeria has confirmed the arrest of 16 military officers for alleged acts of indiscipline and violation of service regulations, with those found culpable after investigation to face court martial. Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, stressing that the military would not tolerate any conduct that undermines its integrity or threatens its constitutional duties under democratic authority. According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the arrested officers’ grievances were largely tied to repeated failure in promotion examinations and perceived stagnation in their military careers. He said, “The Armed…

Health experts have reiterated the importance of walking as a preventive medicine and a lifestyle habit, stressing that it should be seen as a path to wellness rather than a burden. The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, on Saturday joined the global community in marking the 2025 International World Walking Day with an awareness walk that drew hundreds of participants, including hospital staff, fitness enthusiasts, and residents of the Ogun State capital. The exercise, which kicked off from the Motor Traffic Department in Ibara, covered about eight kilometres before terminating at the hospital premises. Speaking after the walk, the…

Aisha Waliyyullah The Managing Director of Babcock Investment Group, Professor Johnson Egwakhe, has warned that Nigeria risks scaring away investors and discouraging entrepreneurs if taxation continues to be applied as a punitive measure rather than a tool for development. Egwakhe gave the warning while delivering a lecture at the investiture ceremony of Prince Lawrence Adewale Adetona, as the 10th chairman of Abeokuta and  district  society . Speaking on  “Entrepreneurship, Tax Reform and Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria,” the expert  dwelt on the implications of poorly designed tax policies for businesses and the economy. He noted that arbitrary tax hikes have…

Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has clarified that every Nigerian who earns an income — irrespective of profession or source — is required by law to declare it for taxation. Oyedele stated this on Friday during an interactive session with journalists, influencers, and policy analysts on the implementation of the newly signed tax reform laws, expected to take effect from January 1, 2026. Responding to public concerns on the scope of the laws, Oyedele stressed that the principle of “self-declaration” was not a new imposition but an existing obligation. “Sex workers, agberos, everybody…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has debunked reports claiming he linked the late former President Muhammadu Buhari with the Boko Haram insurgency, describing the insinuation as a gross misrepresentation of his remarks. Jonathan, in a statement by his spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, on Saturday, said his comments at the book launch of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd.), were twisted by sections of the media to create a false impression. He clarified that at no point did he allege or insinuate that Buhari had ties with Boko Haram or gave support to the group, insisting that both leaders shared…