By Sandra Kenneth
Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has called on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to halt the destruction of cannabis farms in Nigeria, demanding instead the immediate legalization and regulation of the crop.
Sowore made the call in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday while reacting to recent anti-narcotics operations carried out by the NDLEA in Edo State. He described the destruction of vast plantations as a waste of vital economic opportunities, particularly at a time when the country is confronting severe poverty and economic distress.
Criticising the current law enforcement approach, Sowore stated that burning commercially viable farms reflects an outdated policy frame. He urged the Federal Government to harness the medicinal and industrial potentials of cannabis to boost revenue generation, foster scientific research, and create job opportunities for young Nigerians.
“Stop destroying cannabis farms. Stop wasting enormous economic opportunities in the name of a failed and outdated policy,” Sowore declared. “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.”
The activist’s criticism followed reports from the Edo State Command of the NDLEA, which confirmed the destruction of two major cannabis plantations yielding an estimated 4,628.9 kilogrammes of the substance in separate operations across the state.
The Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, revealed that the raids were conducted pursuant to operational directives from NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), aimed at clearing illicit drug locations nationwide.
According to Ofoyeju, one farm located at Ugboku in the Igbanke Forest, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, yielded an estimated 1,749.26 kg, leading to the arrest of 40-year-old Agholor Elebojie. A second plantation measuring over 1.15 hectares with a yield of 2,879.7 kg was similarly destroyed, alongside the recovery of processed cannabis sativa.
In related sweeps at Oluku and Abuja Quarters in Benin City, operatives arrested 10 suspect drug traffickers, including 28-year-old Kingsley Anigala, recovering quantities of cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol, and other controlled substances.
While the agency continues to prepare the suspects for prosecution, Sowore maintains that a pivot toward legalised frameworks would yield far greater national dividend than persistent law enforcement raids.
