By Francis Ezeh
The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has
demanded an explanation from Governor Seyi Makinde over the reported failure of
surveillance aircraft to prevent a bandit attack on a security base in
Oorelope.
The party said the incident along the Igbeti-Igboho Road on
Sunday raised serious questions about the whereabouts, deployment and
effectiveness of aircraft reportedly acquired by the state government for
aerial security monitoring.
In a statement issued on Monday, APC Publicity Secretary
Olawale Sadare said the attackers allegedly operated for more than an hour
before withdrawing from the area.
He questioned how the suspects could remain undetected for
so long, particularly because a base station for the surveillance aircraft was
reportedly located around the Igbeti axis.
Sadare described the development as an irony, arguing that a
prolonged attack had taken place in an area where the government had previously
announced the deployment of aerial surveillance equipment.
According to him, the attackers allegedly removed some items
from the security facility before setting the post and a vehicle on fire. No
casualty was reportedly recorded during the incident.
The affected security facility was an Operation Burst base.
The joint security outfit includes personnel from the Nigerian Security and
Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Army.
The APC spokesman said the reported attack had made it
necessary for the state government to clarify whether the aircraft were
operational, where they were deployed and how they were being used to monitor
vulnerable communities.
“Since the day Gov. Makinde celebrated the purported
delivery of the two aircraft, nothing has either been heard or felt about their
deployment to survey the airspace in the state,” Sadare said.
He further questioned the reported cost of the aircraft,
alleging that the state government spent about N7.8 billion on their
procurement.
Sadare argued that less expensive technology could have
provided stronger surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities, while
allowing the government to direct more resources towards other security needs.
“A good example is the N7.8 billion which he spent on the
procurement of surveillance aircraft when he could have spent five per cent of
the amount on cheaper technological equipment and facilities to achieve better
results,” he said.
The party also linked its criticism to Makinde’s wider
political objections to some economic policies introduced by the Federal
Government under President Bola Tinubu.
Sadare referred to the governor’s opposition to the removal
of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, saying Makinde had repeatedly
argued that the measures were intended to hurt Nigerians while benefiting state
governors.
“On many occasions, Gov. Makinde has said that the removal
of fuel subsidy and floatation of Naira by the Tinubu administration were
designed to punish Nigerians and enrich the governors,” Sadare said.
He asked whether the additional revenue available to the Oyo
Government had produced measurable improvements in public security, household
welfare and living conditions across the state.
The APC urged the administration to provide clear
information on the aircraft’s operational history, current location,
surveillance coverage and response capacity, especially after the latest
attack.
Sadare said effective aerial monitoring must be supported by
reliable intelligence and rapid intervention if it was to protect residents and
prevent armed groups from operating freely.
The party maintained that public funds committed to security
required transparency and measurable results, calling on the government to
account for the aircraft and explain why the Igbeti incident was not detected
or stopped earlier.
Post a Comment