Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a distressing incident, bandits have seized control of seven residents from Kuduru, a nearby community of Bwari Area Council in Abuja, demanding a staggering N290 million in ransom for their release.  The victims, which include a pregnant woman, three children, and four adults, have endured captivity for one month and four days since their abduction on January 28 in the Kuduru extension. A community leader, opting for anonymity, revealed that the bandits have issued a grave ultimatum, threatening to take the lives of two hostages if the N290 million is not promptly paid.  The abductors have extended their demands…

In a recent development, the Kano State Hisbah Board revealed that all its bank accounts have been frozen following a lawsuit filed by hotel owners within the state.  Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, the Commander General of Hisbah, confirmed this development to TRT Afrika Hausa on Wednesday. Several months ago, Hisbah operatives stirred controversy when they conducted raids on hotels and entertainment venues in Kano.  These incidents have now led to legal repercussions for the religious police force. Confirming the freezing of accounts, Daurawa stated, “Yes, it is true that all of our bank accounts have been frozen.  I have sent…

A  Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Kano, on Thursday, ordered the remand of  Aliyu Yakubu, 24, and Aisha Sani,19, at the Correctional Center for alleged adultery. The duo, who reside at  Sauna Quarters Kano and Hotoro Yandodo Quarters Kano, are being charged with criminal conspiracy and adultery. The Prosecutor, Miss Khadija Aliyu, told the court that the defendants committed the offence sometime in 2023, at Hotoro Quarters Kano. She alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves, got engaged in unlawful sexual intercourse with the female victim who became pregnant and was delivered of a baby boy. According to the prosecutor,…

In a resounding call for increased focus on African Studies, distinguished scholars in the field of decolonial studies have emphasized the need for substantial investments in understanding the rich tapestry of Africa’s history, demography, culture, politics, economy, languages, and religion.  This advocacy gained momentum during the latest edition of the Toyin Falola Interview Series, a globally watched event with a viewership exceeding 3 million. Led by Professor Toyin Falola, the panel included eminent figures such as Professor Nelson Maldonado-Torres, Professor Walter D. Mignolo, Professor Shose Kessi, Professor Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni, Professor Julia Suarez-Krabbe, and Oyeronke Oyewumi.  Their discussions delved into…

Narrates How 30 Victims Were Kept For Ritualists Daud Olatunji In a gripping narrative of courage and resilience, Eniola Popoola, fondly known as Iya Oyo, shares her harrowing experience of escaping a kidnapping incident on the Oyo-Iseyin road. The middle-aged rice trader, determined to overcome adversity, takes us through the twists and turns of her ordeal, highlighting the strength of the human spirit. Eniola’s journey began on March 5, 2023, during a challenging no-cash period. Faced with the rejection of old currency notes in Oyo state, she ventured to Iseyin to purchase rice for her business. Little did she know…

Azeezah Zubair The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) emphasized the crucial need for enlightening the management and staff of the Lagos judiciary on anti-corruption laws to foster better collaboration. During a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, Mr. Kabir Elelu, the ICPC Lagos Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, commended the judiciary’s innovative steps, including the establishment of anti-corruption courts and expedited actions on filed matters for assignment and trial dates. Mr. Elelu underscored the importance of enlightening judiciary staff on anti-corruption laws, punishments, workplace best practices, and the promotion of integrity,…

By Darasimi Inuolaji In a significant move to bolster the nation’s pharmaceutical landscape, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) inaugurated the Narcotic Drugs Serialization Pilot Project.  Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC, delivered the opening remarks during the commissioning ceremony held on January 18th. Emphasizing NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of medicines, Prof. Adeyeye highlighted the agency’s core mandate of promoting good distribution practices.  She underlined the vital role of NAFDAC in aligning the distribution of medical products with global best practices along the pharmaceutical supply chain. Addressing a…

By Suliyat Sulaimon The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially introduced the Health Technology Access Pool (HTAP) as the successor to the Covid-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP). It says the  WHO launched Initially in May 2020  in collaboration with the Government of Costa Rica and other partners, C-TAP aimed to ensure fair and reasonable access to COVID-19 health products worldwide. This platform facilitated the open sharing of intellectual property, knowledge, and data among technology partners, fostering technological innovation and expanding accessibility to COVID-19 tools. Despite encountering challenges in establishing a novel mechanism with limited resources during the pandemic, C-TAP successfully…

Oreoluwa Olaleye The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has affirmed its commitment to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to address the challenges of substance abuse among Nigerian youths.  Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, conveyed this during her visit to NDLEA’s national headquarters in Abuja, where she engaged in discussions with the Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd). Acknowledging the severity of drug-related issues, Marwa emphasized the pressing need for cooperation among various stakeholders, including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, linking them to the country’s…

By Ramotallahi Balogun Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended Udechukwu Ekene Theophilus, a Brazil returnee, at the Murtala Muhammad Airport (MMiA) in Ikeja, Lagos.  The arrest took place during routine passenger checks on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa. Refusing body verification, Ekene feigned sickness, raising health concerns, and attempting to evade arrest. Eventually complying with an excretion observation, he revealed 60 wraps of cocaine, weighing 1.279 kilogrammes, excreted in five instances.  Ekene confessed to absorbing cocaine in Brazil, intending to deliver the entire consignment in Addis Ababa but managing to…