Human rights activist and AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency over its destruction of cannabis farms in Edo State. Sowore called on the Federal Government to legalise and regulate cannabis cultivation, arguing that Nigeria could benefit from its medicinal and industrial uses. He made the call in a Tuesday post on X while reacting to the NDLEA’s recent operations in Edo.
Sowore calls for cannabis regulation
Sowore said the government should stop destroying cannabis farms while the country continues to face widespread poverty. Omoyele Sowore argued that regulated cannabis cultivation could create jobs, support research and generate revenue for the country.
He wrote, “It is idiotic @ndlea_nigeria wake up, put on uniforms, march into farms, and set economically viable crops worth millions of dollars ablaze while your country is drowning in multidimensional poverty.”
He added, “Stop destroying cannabis farms. Stop wasting enormous economic opportunities in the name of a failed and outdated policy.”
According to Sowore, Nigeria should invest in research and develop a regulated cannabis industry for legitimate medical and industrial purposes.
“Legalize and properly regulate cannabis. Invest in research, harness its legitimate medicinal and industrial potential, create jobs, generate revenue, and build an industry Nigerians can benefit from.
“You cannot burn your way out of poverty, foolish people,” he said.
NDLEA destroys two cannabis farms in Edo
The NDLEA recently destroyed two cannabis plantations in Edo State and arrested 10 suspected drug traffickers in separate operations. The state Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said on Monday that the operations followed credible intelligence.
According to him, the first plantation was located at Ugboku, Igbanke Forest, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. It covered 0.699792 hectares and had an estimated yield of 1,749.26 kilogrammes.
Ofoyeju said operatives arrested 40-year-old Agholor Elebojie in connection with the farm. The second plantation covered 1.151889 hectares and had an estimated yield of 2,879.7225 kilogrammes. Operatives also recovered two bags of processed cannabis weighing 12.4 kilogrammes.
The commander said the operations followed an order by NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, to dismantle illicit drug locations across the country.
10 suspects arrested in separate operations
The NDLEA also arrested 10 suspected drug traffickers during separate operations in Oluku, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, and Abuja Quarters in Oredo Local Government Area of Benin City. Ofoyeju said operatives arrested 28-year-old Kingsley Anigala at Oluku on August 14. They recovered 25.857 kilogrammes of cannabis and 93 grammes of methamphetamine from him.
At Abuja Quarters, nine suspects were arrested on August 13. The agency recovered cannabis sativa, loud, tramadol, diazepam, Swinol, Danabol and methamphetamine. The commander said all the suspects remained in custody as investigations continued ahead of possible prosecution.
