BREAKING: Oyo receives two surveillance aircraft

July 28, 2026 5:57 pm

Ademola Adegbite and Gabriel Oshokha

The Oyo State Government has taken delivery of the two long-awaited security surveillance aircraft.

The two aircraft, which arrived at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, on Tuesday, are expected to support aerial surveillance, intelligence collection and rapid security response across Oyo State and adjoining areas.

In a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Tuesday, said, “The arrival of the aircraft marks another step in the state’s efforts to strengthen security operations through improved intelligence gathering and aerial surveillance.

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

“The State Government had, about a week earlier, assured residents that the aircraft would arrive in Oyo before the end of July, adding that the latest development fulfilled that commitment.

“The aircraft are expected to support security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps and other relevant formations, in monitoring criminal activities and improving response efforts across the state.”

The commissioner also noted that Makinde is on hand to receive the two aircraft at the airport.

PUNCH Online reports that the State Government announced the purchase of the two surveillance aircraft on July 8, 2025, as part of measures aimed at enhancing the capacity of security agencies to tackle emerging security challenges across the state.

The arrival of the aircraft comes months after Governor Seyi Makinde announced plans by his administration to acquire modern aerial surveillance platforms to bolster ongoing efforts aimed at tackling insecurity, including kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities.

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