As expected, the arrival of two Diamond DA42 MNG Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft in Oyo State has sparked some “unnecessary” debate by some “aggrieved members” of the public. While many residents have welcomed the development as a bold step towards strengthening security, others have questioned the cost, arguing that the aircraft “cannot fight” and therefore do not justify the investment. Such criticisms, however, stem largely from a misunderstanding of what these aircraft were procured to do.

First, the Diamond DA42 MNG was never intended to be a fighter jet. It is not designed to carry bombs or missiles, nor was it purchased for aerial combat. Rather, it is a specialised Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform built to detect, monitor and track criminal activities before security forces move in. In today’s world, intelligence is often more valuable than firepower because security agencies cannot neutralise threats they cannot locate.

This explains why advanced militaries across the world invest heavily in surveillance aircraft, drones and satellite systems. Modern security operations begin with intelligence gathering. Surveillance assets identify criminal hideouts, monitor suspicious movements, relay live images to command centres and guide troops accurately to their targets. In counter-insurgency and anti-kidnapping operations, knowing where criminals are is often more important than possessing superior weapons.

Governor Seyi Makinde first announced the plan to acquire the aircraft in 2025 as part of measures to tackle the growing challenges of kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining and other organised crimes across Oyo State. The State Executive Council subsequently approved about ₦7.76 billion for the procurement of the two aircraft, describing them as strategic investments in intelligence-led security rather than conventional military hardware.

Critics who compare the aircraft to fighter jets are therefore comparing two completely different tools. It is similar to criticising an ambulance because it cannot extinguish a fire. Every security asset has a distinct role. Fighter aircraft engage hostile targets. Surveillance aircraft locate those targets, monitor their activities and provide the intelligence that makes any security operation successful.

The capabilities of the Diamond DA42 MNG demonstrate why it was chosen. It can remain airborne for between eight and twelve hours without refuelling, allowing prolonged surveillance of forests, border communities and remote areas where kidnappers and illegal miners often operate. Its advanced gyro-stabilised Electro-Optical and Infrared (EO/IR) cameras can detect and track moving targets during the day and at night while transmitting real-time intelligence to security agencies on the ground.

Another major advantage is its relatively quiet operation. Powered by two Austro Engine AE300 diesel engines, the aircraft has a low acoustic signature, making it difficult for criminal elements to detect while it gathers intelligence. It also requires less than 800 metres of runway for take-off and landing, enabling flexible deployment from regional airfields when operational needs arise.

Importantly, the Nigerian Air Force already operates similar Diamond aircraft variants in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions against bandits, kidnappers and illegal mining syndicates. Similar ISR platforms have supported several security operations across the country, including missions connected with the rescue of kidnap victims. By acquiring aircraft from the same family, Oyo State has positioned itself to benefit from greater operational compatibility, technical support, pilot expertise and intelligence-sharing with the Nigerian Air Force and other federal security agencies.

The significance of this acquisition extends beyond the aircraft themselves. They are expected to strengthen collaboration among the Nigerian Police Force, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) and other members of the state’s joint security architecture. With real-time aerial intelligence, response teams can be deployed more quickly and with greater precision, reducing guesswork during operations.

Public scrutiny of government spending is both necessary and healthy in a democracy. Citizens have every right to ask questions about procurement costs and value for money. However, such discussions should be anchored on facts rather than misconceptions. The question should not be whether these aircraft can fire missiles. The real question is whether they can help prevent kidnappings, expose criminal hideouts, disrupt illegal mining, improve border surveillance and save lives. That is precisely what they were designed to do.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this development is that Oyo State has demonstrated an uncommon willingness to invest directly in specialised security infrastructure. At a time when many state governments rely almost exclusively on federal security agencies, Oyo has chosen to complement national efforts with a capability that enhances intelligence gathering and supports coordinated operations. Whether one supports the present administration politically or not, investing in security technology that protects lives and property deserves objective recognition.

History has shown that successful security strategies depend not only on the courage of security personnel but also on the quality of intelligence available to them. A surveillance aircraft may never fire a single shot, yet it can make the difference between a successful rescue operation and a failed mission. It can identify criminal camps before attacks occur, monitor escape routes and provide security commanders with the information needed to act decisively.

Now, as Oyo State begins integrating these aircraft into its security framework, their success should not be measured by how many weapons they carry but by how many lives they help save, how many kidnappings they help prevent and how effectively they assist security agencies in making the state safer. If they deliver on those objectives, the investment will be remembered not for its price tag, but for its impact.

As expected, the arrival of two Diamond DA42 MNG Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft in Oyo State has sparked some “unnecessary” debate by some “aggrieved members” of the public. While many residents have welcomed the development as a bold step towards strengthening security, others have questioned the cost, arguing that the aircraft “cannot fight” and therefore do not justify the investment. Such criticisms, however, stem largely from a misunderstanding of what these aircraft were procured to do.

First, the Diamond DA42 MNG was never intended to be a fighter jet. It is not designed to carry bombs or missiles, nor was it purchased for aerial combat. Rather, it is a specialised Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform built to detect, monitor and track criminal activities before security forces move in. In today’s world, intelligence is often more valuable than firepower because security agencies cannot neutralise threats they cannot locate.

This explains why advanced militaries across the world invest heavily in surveillance aircraft, drones and satellite systems. Modern security operations begin with intelligence gathering. Surveillance assets identify criminal hideouts, monitor suspicious movements, relay live images to command centres and guide troops accurately to their targets. In counter-insurgency and anti-kidnapping operations, knowing where criminals are is often more important than possessing superior weapons.

Governor Seyi Makinde first announced the plan to acquire the aircraft in 2025 as part of measures to tackle the growing challenges of kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining and other organised crimes across Oyo State. The State Executive Council subsequently approved about ₦7.76 billion for the procurement of the two aircraft, describing them as strategic investments in intelligence-led security rather than conventional military hardware.

Critics who compare the aircraft to fighter jets are therefore comparing two completely different tools. It is similar to criticising an ambulance because it cannot extinguish a fire. Every security asset has a distinct role. Fighter aircraft engage hostile targets. Surveillance aircraft locate those targets, monitor their activities and provide the intelligence that makes any security operation successful.

The capabilities of the Diamond DA42 MNG demonstrate why it was chosen. It can remain airborne for between eight and twelve hours without refuelling, allowing prolonged surveillance of forests, border communities and remote areas where kidnappers and illegal miners often operate. Its advanced gyro-stabilised Electro-Optical and Infrared (EO/IR) cameras can detect and track moving targets during the day and at night while transmitting real-time intelligence to security agencies on the ground.

Another major advantage is its relatively quiet operation. Powered by two Austro Engine AE300 diesel engines, the aircraft has a low acoustic signature, making it difficult for criminal elements to detect while it gathers intelligence. It also requires less than 800 metres of runway for take-off and landing, enabling flexible deployment from regional airfields when operational needs arise.

Importantly, the Nigerian Air Force already operates similar Diamond aircraft variants in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions against bandits, kidnappers and illegal mining syndicates. Similar ISR platforms have supported several security operations across the country, including missions connected with the rescue of kidnap victims. By acquiring aircraft from the same family, Oyo State has positioned itself to benefit from greater operational compatibility, technical support, pilot expertise and intelligence-sharing with the Nigerian Air Force and other federal security agencies.

The significance of this acquisition extends beyond the aircraft themselves. They are expected to strengthen collaboration among the Nigerian Police Force, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) and other members of the state’s joint security architecture. With real-time aerial intelligence, response teams can be deployed more quickly and with greater precision, reducing guesswork during operations.

Public scrutiny of government spending is both necessary and healthy in a democracy. Citizens have every right to ask questions about procurement costs and value for money. However, such discussions should be anchored on facts rather than misconceptions. The question should not be whether these aircraft can fire missiles. The real question is whether they can help prevent kidnappings, expose criminal hideouts, disrupt illegal mining, improve border surveillance and save lives. That is precisely what they were designed to do.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this development is that Oyo State has demonstrated an uncommon willingness to invest directly in specialised security infrastructure. At a time when many state governments rely almost exclusively on federal security agencies, Oyo has chosen to complement national efforts with a capability that enhances intelligence gathering and supports coordinated operations. Whether one supports the present administration politically or not, investing in security technology that protects lives and property deserves objective recognition.

History has shown that successful security strategies depend not only on the courage of security personnel but also on the quality of intelligence available to them. A surveillance aircraft may never fire a single shot, yet it can make the difference between a successful rescue operation and a failed mission. It can identify criminal camps before attacks occur, monitor escape routes and provide security commanders with the information needed to act decisively.

Now, as Oyo State begins integrating these aircraft into its security framework, their success should not be measured by how many weapons they carry but by how many lives they help save, how many kidnappings they help prevent and how effectively they assist security agencies in making the state safer. If they deliver on those objectives, the investment will be remembered not for its price tag, but for its impact.