The Oyo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, has strengthened its partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to curb drug abuse and its attendant security threats across the state.
The collaboration was reinforced during a one-day NDLEA sensitisation programme for Amotekun operatives, focusing on drug-abuse prevention, risk identification, responsible conduct and community-based strategies for building drug-free communities.
Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Ibadan.
Amotekun Commandant, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd.), represented by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs Adigun Yetunde, stressed continuous training to equip personnel with the skills to identify emerging substance-abuse risks and respond appropriately.
He urged operatives to apply the knowledge gained through responsible observation, information gathering and inter-agency collaboration, noting that professionalism and community engagement would boost public confidence.
The NDLEA’s Staff Officer, Drug Integrity Test, O. A. Achichi, said combating drug abuse requires the collective efforts of security agencies, families, schools, community leaders and other stakeholders.
He cautioned Amotekun personnel against treating suspicion as proof, urging them to properly observe, verify and document information before referring suspected drug cases to the NDLEA.
During the technical session, NDLEA’s Staff Officer, Prevention and Sensitisation, Peter Akinbode, identified peer pressure, curiosity, stress, trauma, unemployment and social pressure among factors driving substance abuse, warning of their consequences for individuals, families, youths and community security.
