Oyo govt takes delivery of two surveillance aircraft

The Oyo State Government has taken delivery of two surveillance aircraft acquired to strengthen security operations and improve intelligence gathering across the state.

The aircraft arrived in Ibadan on Tuesday, fulfilling the state government’s earlier assurance that they would be delivered before the end of July.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the arrival of the aircraft marked another significant step in the government’s efforts to enhance security through improved intelligence gathering and aerial surveillance.

Oyelade recalled that the Oyo State Government announced the purchase of the two surveillance aircraft on 8 July 2025 as part of measures to boost the capacity of security agencies to respond effectively to emerging security challenges across the state.

According to him, Governor Seyi Makinde had, on 18 July 2026, confirmed that the aircraft had arrived in Nigeria and were undergoing reassembly at the Nigerian Air Force hangar in Lagos.

The commissioner said the state government had also assured residents about a week earlier that the aircraft would arrive in Oyo before the end of July, noting that their arrival had now fulfilled that commitment.

He explained that the aircraft would support security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps and other relevant formations, in monitoring criminal activities, gathering intelligence and improving response efforts across the state.

Oyelade added that Governor Makinde was at the airport to receive the two aircraft, describing their arrival as part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture.

The acquisition is expected to provide security agencies with enhanced aerial surveillance capabilities and support coordinated efforts to detect and respond to criminal activities across Oyo State.