Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor | Journalist at Weng Global
The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed two cannabis plantations with an estimated yield of 4,628.9 kilogrammes, while arresting 10 suspected drug traffickers in separate operations across the state.
The latest operation forms part of the agency’s continuing efforts to disrupt the cultivation, distribution and consumption of illicit drugs in Edo State.
The development was disclosed on Monday by the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who said the command had intensified its operations against individuals and groups involved in the illegal drug trade.
According to reports, the two cannabis farms were located in areas identified by the agency as being used for illicit cultivation. The plantations were destroyed during coordinated operations aimed at preventing the harvested cannabis from reaching the wider drug market.
The NDLEA has in recent months stepped up intelligence-led operations in Edo, targeting not only cannabis plantations but also warehouses, trafficking routes and suspected drug distribution networks.
The latest seizure and destruction are significant because cannabis cultivation remains one of the major challenges confronting drug-control agencies in parts of Nigeria. Large plantations can supply substantial quantities of cannabis to traffickers and users if they are not detected and dismantled.
10 suspects arrested
Beyond the destruction of the two plantations, the Edo State Command also arrested 10 suspected drug traffickers during separate operations conducted across the state.
The arrests demonstrate the command’s broader strategy of combining the destruction of drug production sites with the interception of individuals suspected of participating in the trafficking chain.
The suspects are expected to face investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with Nigeria’s drug-control laws, subject to the outcome of investigations and due legal process.
The NDLEA has consistently maintained that its operations are designed to attack the entire illicit drug supply chain, from cultivation and production to transportation and distribution.
The agency’s approach is particularly important in Edo, a state where authorities have repeatedly uncovered cannabis plantations and drug storage facilities.
In July, the NDLEA reported the seizure of 1,359kg of cannabis and cannabis seeds from a warehouse in Illushi community, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State. Two suspects were arrested in connection with that operation, which was conducted jointly with personnel of the Nigerian Army.
The agency had also reported earlier in July that its Edo Command arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers and intercepted more than 4,900kg of illicit drugs during intelligence-led operations conducted across the state in June. Three cannabis farms were destroyed during those operations.
Sustained campaign against cannabis cultivation
The repeated discoveries of cannabis farms and warehouses indicate the scale of the challenge facing law enforcement authorities.
Cannabis cultivation often takes place in remote forest areas, making detection more difficult. Drug enforcement agencies therefore rely heavily on intelligence gathering, surveillance and cooperation with local communities to identify plantations and trafficking networks.
The NDLEA has continued to emphasise intelligence-led operations as a key component of its War Against Drug Abuse campaign.
At the national level, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), has also called for a stronger national response to illicit drug cultivation.
In February, Marwa said the agency was pursuing an alternative-development approach aimed at addressing illicit cannabis cultivation while supporting rural communities. The programme seeks to provide legitimate economic opportunities and reduce dependence on illegal cannabis farming.
The strategy reflects the growing recognition that enforcement alone may not completely eliminate illicit cultivation, particularly where communities depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.
Edo remains a major focus
The latest operation further highlights the attention being given to Edo State by drug enforcement authorities.
Previous operations have resulted in the destruction of cannabis plantations, arrests of suspected traffickers and the recovery of large quantities of cannabis and other controlled substances.
In May, for example, the Edo NDLEA Command destroyed two cannabis plantations in Ago Forest, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, with an estimated yield of 1,388.42kg. Four suspected drug traffickers were also arrested in separate operations across the state.
The continued operations suggest that authorities are seeking to prevent Edo from serving as a production and distribution hub for illicit drugs.
For residents, the campaign also underscores the importance of community cooperation in identifying suspicious activities associated with illegal cultivation and trafficking.
As the NDLEA continues its operations, the agency is expected to maintain pressure on drug networks while expanding prevention and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing demand for illicit substances.
The destruction of the two plantations, estimated at 4,628.9kg, represents another major setback for cannabis cultivators operating illegally in Edo State. However, the arrest of 10 suspects also shifts attention to the wider trafficking networks that support the movement and distribution of illicit drugs.
The outcome of the investigations into the suspects will determine the next legal steps, while the NDLEA is expected to continue its intelligence-led campaign against drug cultivation and trafficking across the state.
Sources:
- Punch Newspapers
- Vanguard
- The Point
- Dateline Nigeria
