The Oyo State Government announced that it has acquired two aircraft to address the issues posed by illegal mining, kidnapping, and other security threats within the state.
This information was revealed in a statement from the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, following the weekly State Executive Council meeting.
Dotun pointed out that "the procurement was approved as part of the government's renewed commitment to further protect the state from the influx of bandits and their activities."
The commissioner stated that the Council observed that, while Oyo State experiences more peace than other states in the federation, the government remains vigilant due to ongoing incidents of kidnappings and banditry occurring in certain areas.
Oyelade clarified that the two light aircraft, model DA 42 MNG, served as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) vehicles. They were equipped with advanced surveillance technology capable of detecting targets from both high and low altitudes.
He explained that the preference for aircraft over helicopters was due to their lower maintenance costs, easy accessibility of spare parts, and because the Nigerian Air Force already has several models in its fleet, allowing for effective synergy.
According to him, Oyo State boasts the largest land mass in southern Nigeria, spanning 28,454 square kilometers. This makes it larger than ten African countries.
The two aircraft that have already been acquired, costing ₦7,763,360,000 in total, are anticipated to aid Amotekun and other security agencies within the state in driving bandits out of their hideouts.
Oyelade mentioned that within the South West Security Network, Amotekun in Oyo boasts the largest team with 2,500 staff members, possesses the most vehicles totaling 181, and has an unmatched fleet of 450 motorcycles.
He also mentioned that Amotekun operatives receive the highest salaries in the South West, with the minimum salary being ₦116,000.
The Council also sanctioned the construction of bridges, interchanges, and clearance work on the North-East and South-West sections of the 110km Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road project. This includes areas from Molarere to Odo-Oba near Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, with a total expenditure of ₦83,037,000,000.
It was guaranteed that 72 kilometers of the circular road would be finished by the end of this administration's tenure in 2027.
The Council also sanctioned asphalt enhancements for the Secretariat Road, Trans Amusement UI-Sango Road, and Obafemi Awolowo Stadium Road at a cost of ₦36.346 billion. Additionally, it approved completing the reconstruction of Mobil-Oluyole Industrial Estate's road network with an allocation of ₦6.801 billion.
It also sanctioned the initiation of direct involvement in the operations and maintenance of the Light-up Oyo Solar Project, allocating ₦595,000,000 for this purpose. Additionally, a sum of ₦190,000,000 will be disbursed monthly to cover ongoing operations and maintenance expenses for the project as it currently stands.
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