By Attah Ede
Following series of security challenges confronting many parts of the country, the Oyo State Government, has acquired two aircraft worth ₦7,763,360,000 to checkmate the activities of illegal miners, kidnappers, and other security threats in the state.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade disclosed in a statement on Wednesday, after the weekly State Executive Council meeting.
In the statement, Oyelade explained that the procurement was approved in a renewed determination by the government to secure the state further from the influx of bandits
“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.
“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.
“The preference for the aircraft instead of helicopters was because they were less expensive to maintain, the spare parts were accessible, and also because the Nigerian Air Force possesses a number of the model, which gives room for synergy.
“Oyo State had the largest land mass in the southern part of Nigeria, and bigger than 10 countries in Africa, with a landmass of 28,454 square kilometres.
“The two aircraft already procured cost ₦7,763,360,000 and are expected to support Amotekun and other security agencies in the state to flush out bandits from their hideouts”, Oyelade said.
According to him, the South West Security Network, Amotekun, in Oyo had the highest number of staff — 2,500 — the highest number of vehicles — 181 — and the highest number of motorcycles, 450.
“Amotekun operatives were the highest paid in the South West, with the least paid ₦116,000.”
