Governor Seyi Makinde has taken delivery of two surveillance aircraft in Ibadan. The Diamond DA42 Multi-Purpose Platform aircraft arrived at Ladoke Akintola International Airport on Tuesday. The state government acquired the planes for ₦7.7 billion. Makinde was present at the airport to receive the aircraft personally. The delivery fulfils a promise made to residents last year.
The commissioner for information, Dotun Oyelade, announced the arrival in a statement. He said the aircraft would enhance intelligence gathering across the state. They will also provide aerial support for security operations on the ground. The planes are expected to bolster the Oyo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun. Other federal and state security agencies will also benefit from the aerial capability.
The state government first announced the acquisition on 8 July 2025. The decision was part of a broader strategy to deploy technology-driven security solutions. Makinde had disclosed on 18 July 2026 that the aircraft had arrived in Nigeria. They were undergoing reassembly at the Nigerian Air Force hangar in Lagos. The government assured residents the planes would reach Oyo before the end of July. That deadline has now been met.
The aircraft are designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. They can monitor vast land areas and track criminal movements from the air. Oyo State covers approximately 28,454 square kilometres of terrain. Ground patrols alone cannot cover such an expanse effectively. Makinde said the state needed to complement boots on the ground. He noted that the sheer size of Oyo demanded a more sophisticated security approach.
Makinde has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Air Force. The aircraft will operate under this partnership arrangement. Air Force pilots flew the planes into Ibadan for the handover ceremony. Operations will commence immediately, according to the governor. Makinde said the aircraft would help security agencies respond faster to incidents. He acknowledged that recent abductions had heightened the need for aerial surveillance. The investment now appears timely despite earlier criticism over delays.
The governor stressed that development cannot thrive amid insecurity. He noted that schools had resumed normal activities after security improved. The aircraft will support coordinated operations against kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes. Security analysts say aerial surveillance is a force multiplier for ground troops. It allows commanders to monitor large areas and direct responses in real time. The Diamond DA42 MPP can carry electro-optical and infrared cameras. It also supports radar and communications intelligence systems. The platform offers up to ten hours of endurance per mission.
Oyo joins a small group of Nigerian states with dedicated aerial surveillance assets. The acquisition signals Makinde's prioritisation of security ahead of future political cycles. Residents will watch closely to see whether the aircraft translate into safer communities. The planes represent a significant capital outlay for a sub-national government. Critics have questioned the cost and delayed delivery timeline. Supporters argue the long-term security benefits justify the expenditure. The aircraft are now expected to begin active patrols over Oyo's forests, highways and border areas.
