Oyo Amotekun, NDLEA Join Forces Against Drug Abuse, Insecurity
The Oyo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have stepped up collaboration to tackle substance abuse and the security threats linked to drug use across communities in the state.
The partnership was reinforced during a sensitisation programme organised by the NDLEA for personnel of the Amotekun Corps in Oyo State.
The state Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Ibadan.
He said the initiative was designed to improve the operatives’ understanding of drug abuse prevention, identification of substance-related risks, healthy coping mechanisms and responsible conduct, while promoting community-based approaches to achieving drug-free communities.
The Commandant of the Oyo State Amotekun Corps, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd.), represented at the programme by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs Adigun Yetunde, commended the NDLEA for organising the training.
Olayanju stressed the need for continuous training and capacity building for Amotekun personnel, particularly in areas directly connected to community safety.
He said improved knowledge of substance abuse would help operatives identify emerging risks, respond appropriately and contribute more effectively to efforts aimed at preventing drug abuse in their areas of operation.
The commandant also urged the personnel to put the knowledge acquired into practice through responsible observation, proper information gathering and closer cooperation with relevant security and government agencies.
He noted that maintaining professionalism and a community-focused approach would help strengthen public confidence and support efforts to make communities safer.
Speaking during the programme, the NDLEA Oyo State Command Staff Officer, Drug Integrity Test, O. A. Achichi, said combating drug abuse could not be left to a single agency.
According to him, security agencies, families, schools, traditional and community leaders and other stakeholders all have roles to play in preventing substance abuse.
Achichi noted that because Amotekun personnel operate closely within communities, they are strategically positioned to notice emerging drug-related problems and pass useful information to the appropriate authorities.
He, however, cautioned the operatives against treating suspicion as evidence when dealing with alleged drug-related offences.
He advised them to observe, verify and properly document information before referring cases requiring specialised investigation or enforcement to the NDLEA or other relevant authorities.
Also speaking during the technical session, the NDLEA Staff Officer, Prevention and Sensitisation, Peter Akinbode, explained that substance abuse could have serious consequences for individuals, families, young people and the wider security of communities.
Akinbode identified peer pressure, curiosity, stress, trauma, unemployment and social pressure among factors that could push people, particularly youths, towards substance use.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen information sharing and early identification of drug-related risks while improving community-level efforts to prevent substance abuse across Oyo State.
