FIC Report (Oyo State) – Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, reaffirmed today that the state government has acquired 2 surveillance aircrafts to aid operations against cross-border criminals, especially bandits and terrorists, who now pose troubling threats in the country, and lately against the people of Oyo State.
Speaking on the security reinforcement, Makinde confirmed that the surveillance aircraft procured by the state government had already arrived Nigeria and were currently being assembled at the Nigerian Air Force hangar in Lagos.
“The surveillance aircraft have arrived in the country. As of today, they are at the Nigerian Air Force hangar in Lagos being reassembled.
The manufacturers from China arrived about three days ago and they will need roughly two weeks to complete the work.
“I can say conclusively that those surveillance aircraft will be in operation on or before the end of June,” the governor stated.
He explained that the aircraft were procured proactively to monitor border communities between Oyo and neighbouring states, as well as the international border with the Republic of Benin.
“We were proactive. We wanted to cover the borderline between our state and Kwara State, and also the international border between our state and the Republic of Benin, though we did not anticipate this particular incident,” he said.
Governor Makinde gave this information at his private residence in the Kolapo Estate, today Monday, during his meeting with the Press on the bandit attack, which occurred at two communities in the Oriire Local Government Area of the State, where a number students and teachers were abducted by the bandits.
At the meeting, Makinde also disclosed that, in his bid to rescue all the abductees unhurt, the state government was ready to listen to the demands of the abductors.
The Governor, however, maintained that the state would never surrender to terrorism, stressing that every effort is being intensified to ensure the victims return home unharmed.
Engr. Makinde has now confirmed that seven secondary school students, 18 primary school pupils and seven teachers were abducted during the attack, adding that one of the teachers had unfortunately been killed by the kidnappers.
“Now we are able to confirm conclusively that at the Community Secondary School, about seven students were abducted, while at the 1st Baptist Primary and Nursery School, 18 children were abducted and the teachers involved are seven.
“Unfortunately, like I reported yesterday, one of them was killed.”
Makinde described the situation as “fluid and difficult,” noting that security operatives were still carrying out rescue operations in the area.
“The operation is still ongoing. Yes, it is still a very fluid and difficult situation that our troops on ground are faced with. So I will please ask for responsible reports of this situation. This is not sensational; it involves lives,” he said.
The governor disclosed that the state government had established an operational situation room at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters to coordinate rescue efforts and provide verified information to the public.
“We have set up an operational centre at the police headquarters here. So the Commissioner of Police will be in a situation room and positioned to give the required information,” he added.
Makinde appealed to the abductors to release the victims promptly, insisting that the government was willing to engage them to save lives. “We will do everything to ensure that our children and their teachers are returned safely.
“These are not foreign people. It is us against ourselves. Whatever it is they demand, we are ready to listen to them and address the ones we can as a state government. The children and their teachers must be released timely,” Makinde said.
FIC Ibadan recently reported that the Oyo State government revealed earlier this year of its acquisition of two advanced surveillance aircrafts.
Report by Moses Oyelade, AD(I&PR). FIC, Ibadan.
