- The two aircraft 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.
The Oyo state government has acquired two surveillance aircraft to battle illegal mining, kidnapping, and other security threats across the state.
The state commissioner for information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this after the weekly state executive council meeting.
“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,” he said.
The commissioner explained that while oyo state enjoys relative peace, the government would not be complacent in dealing with existing criminal activities.
“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,” Oyelade added.
He stated that the state chose the aircraft over helicopters because they are cheaper to maintain, have accessible spare parts, and share similarities with aircraft already in use by the nigerian air force, allowing for better synergy.
According to him, oyo state is the largest in southern nigeria, covering 28,454 square kilometres—bigger than 10 african countries.
He revealed that the two aircraft were procured at a cost of ₦7,763,360,000 and would support the operations of Amotekun and other security agencies to flush out criminals.
“In the South West Security Network, Amotekun in oyo has the highest number of staff — 2,500 — the highest number of vehicles — 181 — and the highest number of motorcycles, 450,” the commissioner said.
He added that “Amotekun operatives in oyo are also the highest paid in the region, with the least earning ₦116,000 monthly.”
The council also approved major infrastructural projects, including bridges and interchanges on the Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road project, pegged at ₦83,037,000,000.
The roads affected include Molarere, Odo-Oba, and the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University axis.
It assured that 72km of the 110km circular road would be completed before the administration winds up in 2027.
The council further sanctioned the asphaltic upgrade of the Secretariat Road, Trans Amusement UI-Sango Road, and Obafemi Awolowo Stadium Road at ₦36,346,000,000.
It said the reconstruction of the Mobil-Oluyole Industrial Estate road network would gulp ₦6,801,000,000.
The executive council approved direct intervention in operations and maintenance of the Light-up Oyo Solar Project at ₦595,000,000.
A monthly sum of ₦190,000,000 was also approved for the ongoing operations and maintenance of the solar infrastructure.
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