Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed terrorism charges against seven top commanders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), allegedly linked to the Finland-based separatist leader, Simon Ekpa. According to a statement on Thursday by Favour Dozie, DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, the suspects received funds and other support from Ekpa and foreign-based members of his faction. The cases, numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/632/2025, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2025, and FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2025, were filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 19. One of the accused, Ibrahim Ali Larabo, described as an “illegal migrant” from Niger Republic, allegedly ran…

Otunba Segun Showunmi, a prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Ogun State and convener of The Alternative, has described Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed as “incompetent,” following a statement by the PDP Governors’ Forum. In a strongly worded reaction, Showunmi accused the Governors’ Forum of attempting to intimidate critics of the Bauchi governor, arguing that Bala Mohammed relies on press releases and committees instead of tangible results to defend his leadership. “Imagine a man so insecure in his own leadership that he needs an entire Governors’ Forum to bark on his behalf. Real leaders use results to answer critics.…

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday, warned that massive global cuts in child-focused funding are threatening the lives and future of millions of children, urging Lagos lawmakers to take concrete steps to protect vulnerable children in the state. Speaking at the World Children’s Day Policy Dialogue and Children’s Arts Exhibition held at the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, Alausa, the Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, said the world is currently witnessing a disturbing rollback in the protection of child rights. Lafoucriere noted that while November 20 marks the day the world agreed children have…

Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team on Thursday vowed to challenge the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which convicted the IPOB leader of terrorism and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Speaking with journalists moments after Justice James Omotosho delivered the ruling, Kanu’s counsel and legal consultant, Aloy Ejimakor, described the verdict as a “travesty of justice” and insisted it would not stand. Ejimakor questioned the basis of the conviction, arguing that the court erred in finding Kanu guilty for what he termed “mere spoken words.” “This is the only day I have witnessed a man being convicted for mere pronouncements…

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of terrorism charges brought by the Federal Government. Justice James Omotosho, delivering judgment in a crowded courtroom, held that the prosecution had successfully proved all seven counts against Kanu beyond reasonable doubt. Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), was convicted on all charges bordering on terrorism, incitement, and membership of an unlawful organisation. While some of the offences ordinarily attract the death penalty, Justice…

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), on Wednesday matriculated 6,356 students for the 2025/2026 academic session — the highest number of entrants admitted by the institution since its establishment 38 years ago. The ceremony, which held at the Professor Oluwafemi Balogun Ceremonial Building, also featured the University’s 13th Commencement Lecture. Addressing the fresh students, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, described the record intake as a landmark in the University’s history, saying the surge in enrolment reflected the confidence of Nigerian parents and admission seekers in FUNAAB’s academic standards. Kehinde charged the new intakes to uphold discipline, modest dressing, a…

The Imole Progressive Network has announced a series of agricultural empowerment programmes targeted at farmers across the Ondo North Senatorial District, beginning November 28, 2025. According to an internal memo signed by the group’s Secretary General, Hon. Olorunfemi Christopher Ibukun, the initiative was approved by the organisation’s Director-General, Engr. Michael Abayomi Adeyanju, as part of efforts to strengthen food production and support rural farmers ahead of the 2026 planting season. The programme, which will run in phases across six local government areas, is expected to distribute essential farming tools and inputs to registered farmers. The empowerment begins on November 28…

…Child Labour, Abuse, Poverty Push  Millions Out Of School … World Children’s Day Exposes Nation Failing Its Young Daud Olatunji Thirteen-year-old Temitope Adebayo should have been in school on the morning she was found hawking around Panseke, Abeokuta. Instead, she balanced a tray of soft drinks on her head, sweating under the scorching sun, when she narrated the tragedy that pushed her out of the classroom. “I lost my mother when I was in JSS1,” she said quietly, shifting her weight as if trying to shrink from the memory. “After her death, my father could not help with my schooling.…

Hundreds of Nigerian police retirees on Wednesday staged a protest at the National Assembly complex, calling on lawmakers to remove them from the controversial Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which they said had subjected them to years of financial hardship. The former officers, many of whom wore their old police uniforms, gathered at the main entrance of the complex, chanting solidarity songs and waving placards. Some of the messages read: “NASS: Save us and the future of our children. Exit us from CPS” and “We demand total removal from the police contributory pension.” Addressing journalists, one of the retirees said, “Today,…

The Nigerian Army has dismissed four frontline soldiers engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East for allegedly disobeying standing orders. The dismissed personnel are Mukaila Mutari (22NA/88/10253), Isah Emmanuel (22NA/83/7262), Kolomo Alex (24NA/86/5151), and Ibrahim Musa (24NA/86/0885). Their dismissal, dated Monday, 17 November 2025, was  said to have been confirmed through official military channels. Photographs sighted  show the soldiers in their desert camouflage uniforms. The Army, however, has yet to disclose the specific “standing order” they reportedly flouted. A standing order in military parlance is a permanent directive issued by superior officers, remaining in effect until formally canceled or modified.…