Human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore

Human rights activist and AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for destroying cannabis farms in Edo State, calling for the legalisation and regulation of cannabis in Nigeria.

Sowore, in a post on X on Tuesday , faulted the agency for destroying what he described as economically viable crops while the country grapples with poverty.

He said the government should stop destroying cannabis farms and instead legalise and regulate the cultivation of the plant to harness its medicinal and industrial potential.

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.

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 Stop wasting enormous economic opportunities in the name of a failed and outdated policy.”

Sowore argued that Nigeria could benefit economically from a regulated cannabis industry through research, job creation and revenue generation.

“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,” Sowore said.

PUNCH Online had reported that the Edo State Command of the NDLEA destroyed two cannabis plantations with an estimated yield of 4,628.9 kilogrammes and arrested 10 suspected drug traffickers in separate operations across the state.

The state Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Monday, saying the operations were carried out following credible intelligence.

According to him, the first cannabis farm, located at Ugboku, Igbanke Forest, in the Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state, measured 0.699792 hectares and had an estimated yield of 1,749.26 kilogrammes.

He said one suspect, 40-year-old Agholor Elebojie, was arrested in connection with the farm.

Ofoyeju added that a second farm, measuring 1.151889 hectares, had an estimated yield of 2,879.7225 kilogrammes and was also destroyed.

He said two bags of processed cannabis sativa weighing 12.4 kilogrammes were recovered from the second farm.

The commander said the operation was in line with the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa’s operational order 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 also arrested with various quantities of illicit substances.

Ofoyeju said 28-year-old Kingsley Anigala was arrested at Oluku on August 14 with 25.857 kilogrammes of cannabis and 93 grammes of methamphetamine.

At Abuja Quarters, nine suspects were arrested on August 13 with cannabis sativa, loud, tramadol, diazepam, Swinol, Danabol and methamphetamine.

He said all the suspects had been taken into custody, while investigations were ongoing in preparation for prosecution.