Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has officially taken delivery of two surveillance aircraft acquired to strengthen intelligence gathering and enhance security operations across the state.

The aircraft arrived at the Ibadan Airport on Tuesday, about a year after the state government announced plans to procure them as part of efforts to improve its security architecture.

Speaking after the aircraft landed, Makinde said the acquisition was driven by Oyo State’s vast landmass and the need to complement security personnel on the ground with aerial intelligence.

“The decision to procure the surveillance aircraft was informed by Oyo State’s expansive landmass and the need for rapid aerial intelligence to support security operations,” the governor said.

He noted that although the state did not anticipate the recent wave of insecurity, including abductions, the investment had proved timely.

“We planned for it so that we would be able to cover as much of the state’s landmass as possible within the shortest time. I’m glad that now it’s here,” he added.

Makinde disclosed that the aircraft would become operational immediately under a partnership with the Nigerian Air Force, which will provide pilots and operational support through a Memorandum of Understanding.

“We’re hitting the ground running. You can see the aircraft was flown by Air Force pilots. We have negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Air Force, and we will be working together,” he said.

The governor assured residents that his administration would continue to prioritise their safety, stressing that security remains essential for development.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the arrival of the aircraft fulfilled the government’s commitment to deploy improved aerial surveillance to support security agencies across the state.

According to him, the aircraft will work alongside the Amotekun Corps and other security formations to monitor forests, border communities and other identified flashpoints, improve intelligence gathering, support search-and-rescue operations and enhance rapid response to security threats.

The state government first announced the purchase of the aircraft in July 2025. Their deployment gained added significance following the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in Oriire Local Government Area in May 2026, an incident that intensified calls for stronger surveillance and intelligence capabilities across Oyo State.