The Oyo State Government has officially taken delivery of two Diamond DA42 MNG Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft aimed at strengthening aerial surveillance and intelligence gathering across the state.
Governor Seyi Makinde personally received the aircraft on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport in Alakia, Ibadan, fulfilling the government’s pledge to deploy advanced aerial technology to safeguard lives and property.
Key Operational Highlights
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Enhanced Intelligence & Coverage: Procured for approximately ₦7.7 billion, the high-spec DA42 MNG ISR platforms feature advanced sensors designed to detect and track threats across Oyo’s vast landmass and forest corridors.
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Support for Ground Security Forces: The aerial assets will provide real-time intelligence to ground security formations, specifically boosting the operational capacity of the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun), the Nigerian Police, and federal military units.
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Focus on High-Risk Corridors: Operations will target kidnapping hotspots, illegal mining hubs, and porous forest borders connecting Oyo with Kwara and Ogun states.
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Partnership with Nigerian Air Force: Governor Makinde confirmed a strategic operational alignment with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for maintenance, piloting, and joint tactical oversight.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ OYO AERIAL SURVEILLANCE PROFILE │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Aircraft Model : 2x Diamond DA42 MNG ISR Units │
│ │
│ • Base Station : Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan │
│ │
│ • Core Targets : Anti-banditry, anti-kidnapping, border monitoring, │
│ and tracking illegal mining operations. │
│ │
│ • Key Partners : Amotekun Corps, Nigerian Air Force, & Police. │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
(Sources: Oyo State Ministry of Information & Office of the Executive Governor)
“Technology to Complement Boots on the Ground”
Speaking at the airport reception, Governor Makinde stressed that managing the state’s massive geographical footprint required leveraging modern technology to protect residents:
“When we took the decision to purchase these surveillance aircraft, it was because of the sheer landmass and size of our state. We knew that we had to complement the boots on the ground… We planned for this so that we would be able to cover as much of the state’s landmass as possible within the shortest time.” — Governor Seyi Makinde
The arrival of the aircraft marks the completion of a procurement process initiated in July 2025, following reassembly and flight testing at the Nigerian Air Force hangar in Lagos.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
