Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have destroyed 2,317 bags of cannabis weighing 30,992kgs. 67 bags were also transferred to Osun State Command of the NDLEA as exhibits for further investigation. .
The exhibits with an estimated street value of N309 million were found in 27 camps used as storage facilities located within a farmland at Orita-Ijebu forest reserve, Ikoyi area of Ikire, Osun State. .
The Agency noted that drug cartels have invaded government forest reserves for the cultivation of cannabis. According to the Chairman/Chief Executive, Col Muhammad Abdallah (retd) concerted efforts is needed to stop cannabis cultivation while farmers should be encouraged to cultivate food and economic crops. .
In his words, “Unless the current trend of cannabis cultivation is addressed, the country is on the verge of a devastating food insecurity. It is worrisome that the cartels are using government forest reserves in the cultivation of cannabis.
Stakeholders must strategise on how to increase food production and prevent criminal organisations from diverting arable farmland for cannabis cultivation. A situation where food and cash crops is paving way for cannabis plant portend danger and deserve urgent attention.”
The suspects arrested in connection with the cannabis cultivation are Kofi Mensah, Godwin Monday, Albert Williams Aniama, Enudi Liberty Onyeka, Peter Nelson, Harrison Ewoka Francis, Ossai Nelson, Sulaiman Niyi, Dominic Tobechukwu, Mutiu Kolawole and Chucks Oghenekwu.
Good job from NDLEA