Why NDLEA should stop destroying cannabis farms — Sowore

Human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has called on the Federal Government to stop destroying cannabis farms and instead legalise and regulate the cultivation of the plant.

Sowore made the call after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency destroyed two cannabis plantations in Edo State, with an estimated yield of 4,628.9 kilogrammes.

In a post on Tuesday via his verified X handle, Sowore questioned the economic rationale behind destroying cannabis farms, arguing that Nigeria could benefit from the plant’s medicinal and industrial potential if its cultivation and use were properly regulated.

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He said the government should focus on developing a regulated cannabis industry capable of creating jobs, attracting investment, supporting research and generating revenue.

“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.

“Stop destroying cannabis farms. Stop wasting enormous economic opportunities in the name of a failed and outdated policy.”

Sowore further argued that legalisation and regulation would allow Nigeria to harness the legitimate uses of cannabis while creating economic opportunities for citizens.

“Legalise 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.

The comments followed an announcement by the Edo State Command of the NDLEA that it had destroyed two cannabis plantations and arrested 10 suspected drug traffickers in separate operations across the state.

The state NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said on Monday that the operations were conducted following credible intelligence and were part of efforts to dismantle illicit drug locations.

According to him, the first plantation, located at Ugboku, Igbanke Forest, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, measured 0.699792 hectares and had an estimated yield of 1,749.26 kilogrammes. A 40-year-old suspect, Agholor Elebojie, was arrested in connection with the farm.

Ofoyeju said the second plantation measured 1.151889 hectares and had an estimated yield of 2,879.7225 kilogrammes. Two bags of processed cannabis sativa weighing 12.4 kilogrammes were also recovered from the location.

He said the operations were carried out in line with the operational directive of the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, to dismantle illicit drug locations across the country.