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Makama alleges complicity in Plateau insecurity crisis, urges FG probe into Christmas killings

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File photo of AIG Dabup Makama rtd

In Plateau State, insecurity has transformed into a monthly nightmare for residents, with the recent Christmas Eve attack in 2023 heightening concerns. The assault led to a substantial number of casualties, the death toll now exceeding 200, and numerous others sustaining injuries.

Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) and current Coordinator of Operation Rainbow in Plateau State, AIG Dabup Makama rtd, has accused the state’s formal security architecture of complicity and failure in fulfilling their primary responsibility of safeguarding lives and property.

During an interview with CEOAfrica, monitored by Mega Icon Magazine on Saturday, AIG Makama rtd shed light on the complicity contributing to the current insecurity in the state.

He emphasised that Operation Rainbow’s primary role is to complement the efforts of formal security forces by providing timely intelligence through desk officers at the local government level, subsequently channeled to the appropriate authorities.

‘It is a very sad situation because, before this massacre of our people, the Operation Rainbow intelligence report alerted the formal security forces in the State of what was about to happen; regrettably, our people were killed in hundreds, and the formal security forces did nothing to avert this killing.

“I commend President Bola Tinubu who sent Vice President Kashim Shettima and the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for an on-ground assessment of the level of destruction and killing of innocent people carried out in our dear state.

“This is terrorism at the highest level, and perpetrators must be brought to book. According to intelligence gathered from some displaced persons among the victims, alleged that some military personnel were seen firing at innocent persons during this killing.

“For us to have a lasting solution to the insecurity that Plateau State is currently facing, President Tinubu should mandate holistic investigation of the complicity of the security forces in the State, and the finding should be made public,” he stated.

AIG Makama rtd further stated that “The promise of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, before and after assuming office, if you recall, is to revamp Operation Rainbow which was approved by the Nigerian President and created by the enabling Law of the Plateau State House of Assembly to further complement the formal security forces in the state. The Governor, His Excellency, Dr Caleb Mutfwang has ordered the deployments of the trained 600 people, who are going to be identified by their uniforms as Operation Rainbow’s Neighbourhood Operatives, to commence the internal first-line defense of their various Local Government Areas (LGAS) in the state.”

In a strong show of support for Operation Rainbow, the governor has also assured of his government’s readiness to acquire gadgets to boost the efforts of Operation Rainbow in combating insecurity and ensuring the safety of the good people of Plateau State.

With the increasing death toll in the recent attacks, the state government and security forces are striving to bring to an end the nightmare of insecurity that has plagued Plateau State.

The deployment of Operation Rainbow, along with the additional officers, signifies a united front against the threat to the peace and well-being of the residents. As the call for a full investigation into the Christmas killings takes Centre stage, it is hoped that those responsible will be brought to justice, and measures will be implemented to prevent future tragedies.

AIG Dabup Makama Rtd. is a man with an impressive track record, having served in various capacities since he joined the Police force in 1986. He has served patriotic and risen as far as the Commissioner of Police in states like Anambra, Ogun, Benue, Kware, and Akwa Ibom, and the enviable Assistant Inspector-General of Police in 2020 before he retired.

He belongs to the International Association of Chiefs of Police USA, and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and has attended various on-the-job courses outside the country.

He has also competently participated in various high-profile investigations and operations within and outside the country including the United Nations mission in Haiti, suppression of the Niger Delta Insurgency, and active participation in the fight against kidnapping, armed robbery, and sundry crimes in the South East, Nigeria.

Little wonder he is assuming his current role as the coordinator of Operation Rainbow in Plateau State. His commitment to restoring peace and tranquility to the region is evident in the operational strategy of Operation Rainbow.

AIG Makama rtd has just been announced as His Royal Highness in Mikang Local Government of Plateau State.

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Metro

Two die as speeding truck, bus collide on Sagamu-Ore Expressway

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Two persons lost their lives while two others escaped unhurt in a road crash involving a truck and a commercial bus at Ogbere Junction along the Ogbere/J4 corridor of the Sagamu/Ore Expressway in Ogun State on Thursday.

The Federal Road Safety Corps said the accident occurred around 5:10 a.m.

The Ogun State Sector Command Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Odunsi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the crash involved a white Mack truck with registration number ABC 660 XC and an orange Peugeot J5 bus with an unknown registration number.

Odunsi said four adult male occupants were involved in the accident, adding that two of them died while the other two escaped without injuries.

He attributed the crash to route violation and excessive speeding.

According to him, the impact of the collision caused the Peugeot J5 bus to burst into flames, leaving its front section completely burnt.

He added that FRSC rescue operatives arrived at the scene within two minutes of receiving the distress call and immediately began rescue and traffic management operations to prevent further accidents.

“Officials diverted traffic to an alternative carriageway to minimise congestion while efforts were made to clear the wreckage from the road,” Odunsi said.

He added that officers of the Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division, Ogbere Division, evacuated the bodies of the deceased and deposited them at a nearby mortuary.

Reacting to the tragedy, the Ogun State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, sympathised with the bereaved families and urged motorists to obey traffic rules to avoid needless loss of lives.

He warned drivers against speeding and route violations, especially during periods of poor visibility and on wet roads, stressing that reckless driving remains one of the leading causes of fatal road crashes across the country.

The FRSC also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring safer highways through sustained enforcement of traffic laws, public enlightenment campaigns and prompt emergency response to road crashes.

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Bode Market Fire Heartbreaking, Oseni Sympathises with Victims, Seeks Urgent Relief

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has expressed profound sympathy with traders affected by the devastating fire that ravaged the Bode Traditional Herbs and Other Products Market, popularly known as Iso Alagbo, in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State.

‎The inferno, which broke out overnight into Friday, swept through the bustling market, destroying shops, traditional herbs, medicinal products and other valuable goods worth millions of naira. By daybreak, many traders were left in tears as the fire reduced years of hard work, sacrifice and lifelong investments to ashes.

‎In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), described the incident as heartbreaking, saying the tragedy had dealt a devastating blow to hardworking men and women whose livelihoods depend on the market.

‎”I received the news of the fire with a heavy heart. My thoughts and prayers are with every trader and family affected by this unfortunate incident. It is deeply painful to imagine that years of dedication, sacrifice and investment could be wiped away within a few hours.

‎”This is more than the destruction of shops and goods. It is the loss of livelihoods, the disruption of family income and the uncertainty of tomorrow for many hardworking people who depend on their businesses for survival. I sincerely share in their pain during this difficult time.

‎”I can only imagine the emotional trauma many of the victims are going through. For many of them, the market is not just a place of business; it is the source of livelihood that sustains their families and secures their future.”, the statement party read.

‎Oseni appealed to the Oyo State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), corporate organisations, philanthropists and other well-meaning Nigerians to urgently come to the aid of the affected traders with financial assistance, relief materials and other forms of support to help them rebuild their businesses.

‎”This is a moment for compassion and collective responsibility. I urge governments at all levels, intervention agencies, corporate organisations and kind-hearted Nigerians to extend a helping hand to these traders. A timely intervention will not only help them rebuild their businesses but will also restore hope to families whose means of livelihood have been suddenly taken away.

‎”Together, we can help these hardworking men and women rise again. I am confident that with the support of government and compassionate Nigerians, they will overcome this painful setback and rebuild stronger”, it added.

‎He prayed that God would comfort the victims, strengthen them to bear the painful losses and grant them the courage to rebuild their lives.

‎”I pray that Almighty God restores the losses of every affected trader, grants them renewed strength and opens doors of greater opportunities for them. May He comfort every family affected by this unfortunate incident and protect our markets from such devastating disasters in the future.”

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Tragedy strikes Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: Five die, eight injured in fiery multiple crash

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It was a night of sorrow and devastation in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as a horrific multiple-vehicle crash along the Ibadan axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway claimed at least five lives and left eight others injured in a fiery chain collision involving trucks, tankers, and smaller vehicles.

The accident occurred at about 10:00 p.m. on Friday around the Satguru Maharaji Ji Village axis, just before the Ibadan Toll Gate, throwing the busy highway into chaos as flames and thick smoke engulfed the scene.

The crash involved six trucks, including gas tankers and trailer units, two Toyota Hilux vans, and two cars, according to emergency officials who described it as one of the most severe road accidents in recent times on the corridor.

Eyewitnesses said the tragedy began when one of the trucks reportedly suffered brake failure and rammed into another vehicle ahead of it, triggering a chain reaction that quickly escalated into a multi-vehicle inferno.

In moments, several vehicles were trapped in the blaze, while terrified motorists and bystanders watched helplessly as the fire spread across the expressway.

Eight persons were rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries and were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, said the crash was caused by brake failure which spiralled into a massive fire outbreak.

“Upon arrival, we discovered that the accident involved six trucks (gas tankers and trailer trucks) and two cars, resulting in a fire outbreak,” he said.

“Five persons were recovered dead, while eight others were rescued and handed over to the team of the Federal Road Safety Corps led by SRC Adegbite from Toll Gate, Ibadan, for further medical attention at the nearest hospital.”

Firefighters eventually brought the inferno under control after hours of operation, while security operatives and traffic officials worked to clear wreckage and restore movement on the busy expressway.

Normalcy has since returned to the road, but the tragedy has left behind a grim reminder of the dangers of mechanical failure and unsafe haulage on Nigeria’s busiest highway.

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