Oyo State takes delivery of two surveillance aircrafts

By Precious Mark

The Oyo State Government on Tuesday took delivery of two specialized DA42MN-G surveillance aircraft at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan as part of aggressive efforts to fortify security and expand aerial monitoring across the state.

Receiving the aerial fleet, Governor Seyi Makinde highlighted the state’s strategic investment in modern security architecture to combat criminal threats and improve real-time response capabilities.

“Today, we took delivery of the two DA42MN-G aircraft procured by our administration for security surveillance and reconnaissance missions in Oyo State.”

“We are grateful to the officers of the Nigerian Air Force who have provided support and guidance throughout this process, and we look forward to continued collaboration on the security of our dear State and nation,” Governor Makinde declared.

The arrival of the high-tech aircraft fulfills a key pledge made by the administration to deliver the surveillance units to Ibadan before the end of July 2026.

Elaborating on the development, the State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade noted that the operationalization of the aircraft marks a turning point in the state’s intelligence-led security model.

Oyelade recalled that the procurement process began on July 8, 2025, when the state government first announced the purchase as part of a proactive strategy to equip security agencies against emerging criminal activities across Oyo.

On July 18, 2026, the governor had confirmed the arrival of the aircraft in the country, where they underwent specialized reassembly and inspection at the Nigerian Air Force Hangar in Ikeja, Lagos, prior to their final delivery flight to Ibadan.

The newly deployed DA42MN-G aircraft will support joint security formations, providing real-time aerial monitoring, border patrol, and rapid-response tactical support to the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), the Nigerian Police, and federal military units operating within the state.