Oyo APC links fresh bandit attack to security lapses, questions surveillance aircraft

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State has described a fresh bandits’ attack in the state as evidence of security lapses, while questioning the effectiveness of the surveillance aircraft acquired by the state government.

 

The party made its position known in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Sadare, on Monday.

 

Suspected bandits had reportedly invaded a base constructed for personnel of Operation Burst along the Igbeti–Igboho road in Olorunsogo Local Government Area in the early hours of Sunday.

 

The attackers were said to have operated for more than an hour and reportedly stole items including a generator and a motorcycle.

 

Reacting to the incident, the APC said the attack had raised fresh questions about security preparedness in the state, particularly the deployment of the surveillance aircraft recently acquired by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.

 

Sadare said it was unfortunate that the attackers were allegedly not tracked despite the presence of the aircraft.

 

“Since the day Gov Makinde celebrated the purported delivery of the two aircraft, nothing has either been heard or felt about their deployment to survey the airspace in the state,” he said.

 

He added that the fact that the attack occurred in the same Igbeti area where the base station for the surveillance aircraft was reportedly located raised concerns about their effectiveness.

 

“Sadly, the same Igbeti where the base station for the aircraft was reportedly situated came under heavy attacks for more than an hour, and there was no surveillance to track the attackers and possibly repel them,” Sadare said.

 

The APC therefore described the situation as evidence of a security failure and questioned the state government’s claim regarding the surveillance aircraft.

 

“Therefore, it is safe to say that the whole story about security surveillance aircraft is another scam,” the party said.

 

The opposition party also criticised Makinde over his repeated criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing the governor’s position as evidence of what it called poor understanding of economic management.