The Oyo State Govt Council has authorized N7.7 billion for the procurement of two plane to boost surveillance and sort out banditry, kidnapping, and different safety threats within the state.
This was disclosed in a press release issued on Wednesday in Ibadan by the State Commissioner for Info and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Oyelade stated the approval was granted in the course of the council’s weekly assembly held on Tuesday.
Based on him, the approval aligns with the federal government’s renewed willpower to safe the state from the inflow of bandits and the perpetration of their enterprise.
“The 2 gentle plane, DA 42 MNG mannequin, to be procured, are Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircrafts, with subtle surveillance devices able to figuring out targets from excessive and low altitudes.
“The desire for these aircrafts as a substitute of helicopters is as a result of they’re inexpensive to keep up.
“It’s spare elements are accessible, and likewise, because the Nigeria Air Drive possesses a lot of the mannequin, which supplies room for synergy,” the commissioner stated.
He additional acknowledged that the council famous that there have been nonetheless pockets of kidnappings and banditry occurring in some elements of the state despite the relative peace being loved.
Oyo State has seen an increase in insecurity regardless of being comparatively extra peaceable than many elements of northern Nigeria.
The huge forests and porous borders in Oyo present cowl for kidnappers and bandits, making floor surveillance tough. This has elevated the push for aerial monitoring to enhance intelligence gathering and fast response.
Many residents, together with farmers, merchants, and transporters, say the scenario is affecting their security and livelihoods, with worry rising in a number of affected communities.
