Human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for destroying c@nnabis farms in Edo State, urging the government to legalise and regulate the plant instead.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Sowore faulted the agency for burning what he described as economically viable crops while Nigeria grapples with multidimensional poverty.“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 wrote.
“Stop destroying c@nnabis farms. Stop wasting enormous economic opportunities in the name of a failed and outdated policy.”
Sowore argued that a regulated c@nnabis industry could benefit Nigeria through research, job creation and revenue generation.
“Legalize and properly regulate c@nnabis. 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 added.
The criticism follows a report that the Edo State Command of the NDLEA destroyed two c@nnabis plantations with an estimated yield of 4,628.9 kilogrammes and arrested 10 suspected drug traffickers in separate operations across the state.
State Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed on Monday that the operations were based on credible intelligence.
The first farm, located at Ugboku, Igbanke Forest in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, measured about 0.7 hectares with an estimated yield of 1,749.26 kilogrammes.
One suspect, 40-year-old Agholor Elebojie, was arrested in connection with it.A second farm measuring about 1.15 hectares, with an estimated yield of 2,879.72 kilogrammes, was also destroyed.
Two bags of processed c@nnabis sativa weighing 12.4 kilogrammes were recovered from the site.
Ofoyeju said the operation aligned with the directive of NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) to dislodge illicit drug locations nationwide.
In separate operations at Oluku in Ovia North-East Local Government Area and Abuja Quarters in Oredo Local Government Area of Benin City, 10 suspected male drug traffickers were arrested with various quantities of illicit substances, including c@nnabis, methamphetamine, tramadol and other drugs. All the suspects are in custody pending investigation and prosecution.
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