The Oyo State Government has taken a significant step to enhance security in the state by procuring two aircraft to curb the menace of illegal miners, kidnappers, and other security threats.
The aircraft, valued at N7.76 billion, are Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) planes equipped with sophisticated surveillance gadgets.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, after the weekly State Executive Council meeting.
Oyelade noted that “the procurement was approved in a renewed determination by the government to secure the state further from the influx of bandits and the perpetration of their enterprise”.
According to the commissioner, the Council noted that though Oyo State enjoys relative peace compared to other states in the federation, the government would not be complacent because there were still pockets of kidnappings and banditry going on in parts of the state.
He explained that “the two light aircraft, DA 42 MNG model, were Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, with sophisticated surveillance gadgets capable of identifying targets from high and low altitudes”.
He said the preference for the aircraft instead of helicopters was because they were less expensive to maintain, the spare parts were accessible, and also because the Nigerian Air Force possesses a number of the model, which gives room for synergy.
Despite enjoying relative peace compared to other states, Oyo State still faces security challenges, including kidnappings and banditry in some areas.
The government aimed to leverage the aircraft to support Amotekun and other security agencies in flushing out bandits from their hideouts.
Hensard News reports that the Oyo State government has invested significantly in the Amotekun Corps, with 2,500 personnel, 181 vehicles, and 450 motorcycles.
Amotekun operatives in Oyo State are among the highest paid in the South West, with the least paid N116,000.
