Lere Olayinka, an aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State over the surveillance aircraft he purchased to aid security in his state.

During a press briefing, Makinde revealed that the aircraft are being assembled at the hangar of the Nigerian Air Force in Lagos.

The governor, who spoke following multiple bandit attacks in Oyo last week, said the aircraft will be deployed in June to secure the state.

He 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.”

Reacting, Wike’s aide wondered why Makinde waited for bandits to strike before he remembered that aircraft were bought to protect the state.

He wrote on X, “July last year, Governor Seyi Makinde announced that his government bought surveillance aircraft to combat insecurity.

“However, during the Governor’s press briefing yesterday, he said the surveillance aircraft was at the Air Force Base in Lagos.

“He went on to say that the Chinese Engineers who will assemble it came in three days ago, and they will need TWO WEEKS to do the job.

“Probably what Governor Makinde bought was a kind of drone.

“It was purchased since in July 2025. But close to one year after, it is still at the Air Force base in Lagos, and the Governor didn’t remember to tell the people of Oyo State anything until the terrorists attack in Oriire LG happened.

“N7.7bn Oyo State money invested over to protect the citizens lying UNUSED in Lagos since July last year!

“Just the way he has kept the N30bn he received from the FG as compensation for the victims of the January 2024 Ibadan explosion.

“This same Seyi Makinde will mount podium and be talking about Operation Wetie!” (The Guardian)

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