The Oyo State Government says the two Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft it procured will arrive in the state before the end of July after delays in their assembly by the Chinese manufacturers.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this after the State Executive Council meeting, explaining that although the government had hoped to take delivery earlier, the manufacturers required additional time to complete the assembly of the aircraft.
According to him, Governor Seyi Makinde told the Council he had wished the aircraft were operational during the rescue operation following the Oriire school abduction, but the state relied on the professional and technical advice of the manufacturers before putting the aircraft into service.
The two DA42 MNG Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft were procured at a cost of ₦7.763 billion and are expected to strengthen aerial surveillance along Oyo State’s borders with Kwara State and the Republic of Benin.