The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have agreed to strengthen collaboration in the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state.

The partnership was reached on Tuesday when the executive members of the chapel paid a courtesy visit to the NDLEA command in Ogun State.

Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Yetunde Fatungase, commended the agency for its sustained efforts in combating drug abuse, tackling illicit trafficking and bringing perpetrators of drug-related offences to justice.

She noted that the agency’s operations had contributed significantly to protecting vulnerable persons, safeguarding young people from substance abuse and promoting a safer society.

Fatungase stressed that the fight against drug abuse required collective responsibility, noting that security agencies could not win the battle against substance abuse without active institutional support and public participation.

Highlighting the role of the media, she said journalists had a fundamental responsibility to complement the agency’s efforts through public enlightenment, educational campaigns and sustained advocacy.

She assured the State Commander that members of the chapel remained committed to responsible and impactful journalism that would expose the dangers of illicit drugs, promote awareness and highlight the achievements of the agency.

In his response, the State Commander of the NDLEA, Commander Tijjani Rabe, commended the Correspondents’ Chapel for the initiative, describing the media as an indispensable partner in the campaign against drug abuse.

Rabe maintained that enforcement operations, including raids, interdictions and arrests, would not be sufficient to eliminate drug abuse without sustained public awareness and preventive education across households, schools and communities.

He reaffirmed the command’s readiness to establish a robust working relationship with the chapel, assuring the journalists of its open-door policy and willingness to provide timely and accurate information to support credible reporting.

The commander also encouraged journalists to deploy their platforms towards exposing drug networks, educating the public on the dangers of substance abuse and promoting community-based rehabilitation initiatives.