The Oyo State Government has announced the acquisition of two aircraft to combat the growing threats posed by illegal mining, kidnapping, and other security challenges across the state.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, following the weekly State Executive Council meeting.
Dotun 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.
Oyelade 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 explained that the decision to purchase aircraft instead of helicopters was due to their lower maintenance costs, easier access to spare parts, and compatibility with existing models used by the Nigerian Air Force, which allows for operational synergy.
According to him, Oyo State has the largest land mass in Southern Nigeria—larger than ten African countries—covering 28,454 square kilometres.
The two aircraft acquired at a cost of ₦7,763,360,000 will aid Amotekun and other security agencies in clearing out bandits from their hideouts.
Oyelade noted that Oyo’s Amotekun unit is the largest in the South West, with 2,500 personnel, 181 vehicles, and 450 motorcycles. It also offers the highest remuneration in the region, with the least-paid officer earning ₦116,000.
Additionally, the State Executive Council approved the construction of bridges, interchanges, and site clearance for the North-East and South-West segments of the 110km Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road. This includes the stretch from Molarere through Odo-Oba to the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University axis, all at a cost of ₦83,037,000,000. The government assured that 72km of the road would be completed before the administration ends in 2027.
Further approvals include asphalt overlay of Secretariat Road, Trans Amusement–UI–Sango Road, and Obafemi Awolowo Stadium Road for ₦36,346,000,000. The reconstruction of the Mobil–Oluyole Industrial Estate Road network will be completed at ₦6,801,000,000.
The Council also endorsed a direct intervention in the operations and maintenance of the Light-Up Oyo Solar Project, allocating ₦595,000,000 for the initiative, alongside a monthly maintenance cost of ₦190,000,000.