The Oyo State Government on Tuesday bolstered its security architecture with the delivery of two surveillance aircraft, as Governor Seyi Makinde said the investment would significantly improve intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance and rapid response to security threats across the state.
The aircraft were received by the governor at the newly upgraded tarmac of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, about one year after the state announced plans to procure them as part of efforts to strengthen security operations.
Speaking with journalists shortly after taking delivery of the aircraft, Makinde said the procurement was conceived long before the recent abduction of pupils and teachers at Ahoro Community Grammar School, Oriire Local Government Area, stressing that the acquisition was part of a strategic security plan and not a reaction to the incident.
According to him, the decision was informed by the vast geographical size of Oyo State and the need to complement conventional security operations with aerial surveillance.
“When we took the decision to purchase these surveillance aircraft, it was because of the sheer landmass, the size of our state. We knew that we had to complement the boots on the ground,” the governor said.
Makinde noted that while some critics questioned the delay in the arrival of the aircraft, the government remained focused on delivering a long-term solution to the state’s security challenges.
“We didn’t know that Oriire was going to happen. I’ve seen people criticise us and ask, ‘Where are the aircraft?’ But we planned for the aircraft so that we would be able to cover as much of the landmass of our state as possible within the shortest possible time.
“I’m glad that now it’s here and I believe we will always do what is right in the interest of our people because, in an atmosphere of insecurity, you can hardly do anything.”
The governor described security as the foundation for development, saying no meaningful economic or social progress could be achieved where lives and property are under threat.
He expressed relief over the recent rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire, saying the state was now moving forward with its broader development agenda.
“People can say it is better now because our children are back, our teachers are back and we are moving on with the plan for Oyo State,” he said.
Makinde also disclosed that the surveillance aircraft would be deployed for operations immediately through a partnership between the Oyo State Government and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
According to him, the aircraft were flown into Ibadan by Air Force pilots, while an operational framework has already been put in place to ensure their effective deployment.
“We are hitting the ground running. You can see they were flown by Air Force pilots. We have negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Air Force and we will be working on this together,” he said.
He explained that the collaboration with the Air Force would ensure that the aircraft are professionally operated while strengthening intelligence sharing and coordinated security operations across the state.
The governor reassured residents that his administration would continue to prioritise the protection of lives and property, promising that the government would sustain investments aimed at keeping Oyo State safe for residents and investors.
“My message to the people of Oyo State is that their government will always be there to serve them,” he said.
