Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Federal Government has revealed that the arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, followed sustained diplomatic efforts by Nigeria on Finnish authorities. Ekpa was apprehended on Thursday alongside four others by Finnish authorities on charges of terrorism and incitement to violence. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme has ordered his detention on probable cause, citing his alleged involvement in inciting violence through social media. In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Ekpa’s arrest and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to monitoring the legal proceedings. The Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa,…

The Yewa Youths Progressive Movement (YYPM) has cautioned investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo against portraying Ogun West border communities as hotspots for smuggling activities. In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Adeoye Akinola, and Publicity Secretary, Sunday Adeyemi, the group expressed dismay over what it described as sensationalism and unverified claims in Soyombo’s recent social media posts. The statement, issued in Abeokuta on Friday, accused the journalist of unjustly labeling residents of Ogun border towns as smugglers. YYPM stated that Soyombo’s assertion that thousands of vehicles loaded with foreign rice were stationed in Ogun border communities, awaiting smuggling into the…

The Ogun State Security Network, popularly known as the Amotekun Corps, has announced the commencement of its screening exercise for the recruitment of 700 additional personnel. A statement from the Corps Commander and issued by T. Bakare stated that the  screening, aimed at bolstering the state’s safety and security framework, will run from Monday, November 25, to Sunday, December 8, 2024, across four designated centers in Ogun State. Bakare explainer that th Screening exercise was donated at the various  screening centers across the state. He said  for Ijebu Center, it would take place at Ijebu-Ode Local Government Secretariat, Ijebu-Ode,…

Ayomide Awe The Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Command, Comptroller James Ojo, has expressed concerns over the alarming rise in illicit drug smuggling, announcing the seizure of illicit drugs valued at ₦117,587,405. Ojo disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing held at the Ogun II Area Command headquarters in Abeokuta. The Controller stated that the seizures, made between January and November 21, 2024, include 403 sacks and 6,504 parcels of cannabis sativa, as well as 362 packs of Tramaking tablets (a brand of tramadol). While lamenting the high rate of illicit drug trafficking in the state, Ojo cited operations…

In a move aimed at reducing transportation costs and enhancing accessibility, the Ogun State Government has outlined a step-by-step process for converting vehicles powered by Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engines. Speaking in Abeokuta, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Olugbenga Dairo, detailed the conversion process, which involves three stages: pre-inspection by Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS) in collaboration with technicians at conversion centers, approval for computerized vehicle inspection, and final conversion and certification on-site by the Conversion Manager. “The two conversion centers are Nigeria Gas Transport Solution Ltd (NGTSL), located at Ogun State Public Works Agency,…

The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has been conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of the Nigerian Association of Engineering Craftsmen (NAEC). The honour, which represents the highest distinction bestowed by the association, acknowledges her remarkable contributions to the engineering profession. The award was presented during NAEC’s 29th National Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting held in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and was formally handed over to her in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. In her acceptance speech, Salako-Oyedele expressed gratitude to the association, highlighting the critical role skilled craftsmen play in driving economic growth. She emphasized the need for certified and…

NNEWI, Anambra – A clash between security operatives in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Wednesday caused panic as two agencies mistook each other for members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), leading to a gun duel. The incident, which occurred at Izuchukwu Junction on the Nnobi/Nnewi road, involved a misunderstanding that escalated into an exchange of gunfire, Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed. Contrary to widespread speculations, Ikenga stated that the confrontation was not linked to any attempt to disrupt the burial of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who passed away on July 27 in London. “The…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered and dismantled an illegal factory involved in the production and packaging of counterfeit alcoholic beverages at Article Market in Abule-Osun, Lagos State. NAFDAC disclosed this during a raid on Thursday, where over 50,000 counterfeit branded labels and packaging materials for unapproved alcoholic products were confiscated. The items, valued at approximately N2 billion, were being used to produce hazardous beverages that posed serious health risks. “These items were being used to produce unapproved and hazardous alcoholic products,” the agency stated. The agency warned consumers about the severe health…

A 48-year-old man, Adamu Umaru, was on Thursday paraded by the zone 6 police command in Cross River State over allegation of defiling and impregnating his 15-year old daughter. The zone 6 spokesperson, SP Nelson Okpabi told journalists that the suspect was arrested on Friday, November 15, based on a petition by one Aisha, the victim’s aunt. He said, “The personnel of the Zonal Human Rights Unit acting on a petition referred to the team for investigation, on November 15, 2024 apprehended Mallam Adamu Ibrahim Umaru. The suspect is a native of Bundugudu LGA of Zamfara State, residing at No.…

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Abuja, has announced that Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will be extradited to Nigeria to face charges over alleged incitement of violence and other crimes. Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, disclosed this in a press statement, emphasizing the satisfaction of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, with recent developments regarding Ekpa’s detention in Finland. “The Chief of Defence Staff is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope that this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he…