Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said the surveillance aircraft procured by his administration have already arrived in Nigeria and are currently at a Nigerian Air Force facility in Lagos.

Briefing journalists at the Government House in Ibadan, the state capital, Makinde stated that the aircraft is getting assembled before deployment to support security operations in the state.

The press briefing was held following multiple attacks by bandits on three schools in Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire local government area of the state.

Makinde said, “The surveillance aircraft have arrived in the country. As of today, they are at the Nigerian Air Force hangar in Lagos, where they are being assembled. The manufacturer from China arrived in the country about three days ago. They should have about two weeks to finish their work. I can say conclusively that those surveillance aircraft should be in operation on or before the end of June.”

He added, “If you want to inspect it, we can arrange for you to go to the Nigerian Air Force base in Lagos to see the work that is going on.”

The governor stated that the plan is to have the aircraft cover the border between Oyo State and Kwara State, as well as the international border between Oyo State and the Republic of Benin.

Giving an update on the attacks, Makinde said, “Now we are able to confirm conclusively that at the Community Secondary School, about seven students were abducted, while at the First Baptist Primary and Nursery School, 18 children were abducted and about seven teachers were also involved. And unfortunately, like I reported yesterday, one of them was killed.”