Oyo state government has disclosed that it has taken delivery of the two long-awaited security surveillance aircraft, more than a year after purchasing them.
On July 9, 2025, the Oyo state government announced the procurement of the aircraft, saying the acquisition cost N7.76 billion.
Dotun Oyelade, the commissioner for information, said the military assets would bolster security across the state.
“The two aircraft already procured cost N7,763,360,000 and will effectively back up Amotekun and other security forces in the state to prevent and destroy bandits in their hideouts,” Oyelade said at the time.
“The two DA 42 MNG model aircraft are for Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations and are equipped with sophisticated surveillance gadgets capable of identifying targets from both high and low altitudes.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oyelade announced the arrival of the aircraft at Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, the state capital, saying they would strengthen aerial surveillance, intelligence-gathering and rapid security response across Oyo and neighbouring states.
“The arrival of the aircraft marks another step in the state’s efforts to strengthen security operations through improved intelligence gathering and aerial surveillance,” the statement reads.
“Governor Seyi Makinde had, on July 18, 2026, confirmed that the aircraft had arrived in Nigeria and were undergoing reassembly at the Nigerian Air Force’s hangar in Lagos.”
Oyelade said the state government had assured residents last week that the aircraft would arrive in Oyo before the end of July, saying their arrival fulfilled that promise.
“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,” he said.
