The Oyo State Government, on Tuesday, took delivery of its two surveillance aircraft, as Governor ‘Seyi Makinde declared that investment on security has paid off.
The long-awaited surveillance aircraft were delivered, one year after the governor had announced plans to acquire the security asset to strengthen intelligence-gathering and enhance the state’s security architecture.
Recall that the Oyo State Government, on 8 July, 2025, announced the purchase of the two surveillance aircraft as part of measures to enhance the capacity of security agencies to tackle emerging security challenges across the state.
The governor took delivery of the two surveillance aircraft, Diamond DA42 MNG Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, at the upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Alakia, Ibadan at about 5:30pm.
He described the development as a major milestone in the state’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
This was as he noted that the acquisition was part of his administration’s broader security strategy aimed at enhancing intelligence gathering, rapid response, and protection of lives and property across the 33 local government areas of the state.
Makinde On The Surveillance Aircraft
Speaking shortly after the two aircraft landed at the Ibadan Airport, Governor Makinde described the development as the fulfilment of a strategic security initiative conceived to complement personnel on the ground across the state’s vast territory.
He said the decision to procure the surveillance aircraft was informed by expansive landmass of the state and the need for rapid aerial intelligence to support security operations.
Oyo State And Its Investment On Security
“When we took the decision to purchase this surveillance aircraft, it was because of the sheer landmass and the size of our state. We knew that we had to complement the boots on the ground,” he said.
The governor noted that, though the security challenges that later confronted the state, including recent abduction incidents, were unforeseen, the government’s investment in aerial surveillance had proved to be timely.
“We didn’t know what was going to happen. I have seen people criticize us and ask, ‘Where is the aircraft?’
“But we planned for it so that we would be able to cover as much of the state’s landmass as possible within the shortest time,” he stated.
Expressing satisfaction that the aircraft finally arrived in the state, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to taking decisions that serve the best interests of residents.
“I’m glad that now it is here, and I believe we will always do what is right in the interest of our people. In an atmosphere of insecurity, you can hardly do anything.
“Now, our children are back, our teachers are back, and we are moving on with our plans,” he added.
The governor further said the aircraft would become operational immediately, revealing that the state had entered into a partnership with the Nigerian Air Force to ensure their effective deployment.
“We are hitting the ground running. You can see the aircraft were flown by Air Force pilots.
“We have negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Air Force, and we will be working together,” he added.
Assuring residents that his administration would continue to prioritise their safety and welfare, he said: “My message to the people of Oyo State is that their government will always be there to serve them.”
The arrival of the two surveillance aircraft has been described as a fulfilment of the government’s earlier assurance that they would be delivered before the end of July.
The state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, stated in a release that the arrival of the aircraft marked another step in the state’s efforts to strengthen security operations through improved intelligence-gathering and aerial surveillance.
He added that Governor Makinde had, on 18 July, 2026, confirmed the arrival of the aircraft in Nigeria and were undergoing reassembly at the Nigerian Air Force’s hangar in Lagos.
However, the explanation by the governor notwithstanding, the delay in bringing them to Ibadan attracted a lot of criticism, especially at the peak of the unfortunate abduction of school pupils and teachers in Oriire.
The aircraft would be deployed to support security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps and other relevant formations, in monitoring criminal activities and improving response efforts across the state.
