In a bold step to strengthen internal security, the Oyo State Executive Council has approved the sum of N7.7 billion for the acquisition of two light surveillance aircraft to bolster efforts against kidnapping, banditry, and other rising security threats across the state.

The development was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement issued by Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, following the council’s weekly meeting held on Tuesday in Ibadan.

Aircraft to Support Intelligence and Rapid Response

According to the commissioner, the aircraft to be purchased are Diamond DA 42 MNG models, a type of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft widely regarded for its advanced surveillance capabilities. These planes are equipped with modern gadgets that can identify, monitor, and track targets from both high and low altitudes.

“The preference for these aircraft instead of helicopters is because they are less expensive to maintain. Its spare parts are accessible, and also, the Nigerian Air Force possesses a number of the model, which gives room for synergy,” Oyelade stated.

The decision, according to the council, is part of a renewed determination by the state government to secure Oyo from the encroachment of bandits and the criminal enterprise of kidnapping gangs, which have become a significant threat to lives and livelihoods, especially in rural and border regions.

Insecurity Remains a Growing Concern

While Oyo is relatively more peaceful than several northern states grappling with insurgency and banditry, pockets of insecurity persist in many communities, particularly in remote areas. The government acknowledged this challenge during the executive meeting.

Oyelade noted that despite a semblance of peace, isolated incidents of kidnappings and violent crimes continue to occur, particularly in Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun, and parts of the state bordering Osun, Ogun, and Kwara.

These areas have been the epicenter of highway kidnappings, herder-farmer clashes, and bandit-style raids in recent years. The Ibarapa zone, especially the town of Igangan, has repeatedly drawn national attention following gruesome killings, abductions, and persistent communal unrest.

Challenges with Ground Security and the Role of Amotekun

In response to the rising insecurity, the Oyo government has taken steps to fortify the Western Nigeria Security Network, better known as Amotekun Corps. The regional security outfit has made some progress in community policing, but is still grappling with several operational constraints.

These challenges include:

• Inadequate firearms and ammunition

• Limited personnel

• Insufficient mobility and communication tools

• Difficulty operating in vast, forested terrains

The terrain of Oyo State, particularly in rural belts with thick forests and porous borders, offers safe havens for criminals and makes ground-level surveillance difficult. This reality, government sources say, is what prompted the decision to enhance aerial intelligence capacity through ISR aircraft.

“We can no longer rely on ground patrols alone. Aerial surveillance will allow us to gather better intelligence, monitor movements in difficult terrains, and deploy response teams more efficiently,” a senior security official in the state disclosed.

A Strategic Investment in Security Infrastructure

The N7.7 billion allocation marks one of the largest state-level investments in aerial security in the South-West in recent years. The procurement of ISR aircraft is expected to:

• Enhance intelligence gathering in hard-to-reach rural areas

• Improve coordination between state and federal security agencies

• Enable faster deployment of security personnel during emergencies

• Discourage criminal elements from using Oyo as a base

Security experts have welcomed the decision, describing it as a forward-thinking measure, especially in a region where criminal networks are adapting to evade ground-based enforcement.

Residents Still Living in Fear

Despite government efforts, many residents in affected areas continue to live in fear of attacks. Farmers in Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun report abandoning farmlands due to kidnapping threats. Transporters have also expressed concerns about risky highways, where several drivers and passengers have fallen victim to ambushes.

In Igangan, community leaders lament that although security patrols have increased, bandits still carry out night raids, forcing some families to relocate.

“We can’t go to our farms. The forests are no longer safe. Even at home, we sleep with fear,” said Adeola Alabi, a farmer in Ibarapa.

What Comes Next?

The Oyo State Government says the aircraft acquisition process will begin immediately, and the planes are expected to be delivered and deployed within a few months. The government is also planning to train a team of surveillance officers and coordinate operations with the Nigerian Air Force and other federal agencies for real-time intelligence sharing.

Oyelade urged residents to support the state’s security strategies and report suspicious movements, while assuring that the Makinde-led administration remains committed to protecting lives, property, and investments across the state.

As insecurity continues to evolve across Nigeria, Oyo’s aerial surveillance move may soon serve as a template for other states looking to innovate local security architecture amid national-level limitations.