NDLEA, Army destroy cannabis farms, arrest two suspects in Edo - The Guardian Nigeria News

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, has destroyed two cannabis plantations and arrested two suspects at Eko Camp, Illushi, in the Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this yesterday in a statement in Benin.

Ofoyeju said the plantations measured 0.544092 hectares, with an estimated yield of 1,360.23kg of cannabis. He added that 107kg of processed cannabis, including seeds, was also recovered.

The commander identified the suspects as 43-year-old Ajeh Egwuda, who is married with two children, and Nonso Ajodhe, who is married with five children.

According to him, both suspects are indigenes of Esan South East Local Government Area and claimed they took to cannabis cultivation because of poverty and the negative influence of friends.

Ofoyeju said Egwuda was found cultivating a cannabis farm measuring 0.068011 hectares, with an estimated yield of 170.03kg, while Ajodhe was found with a larger plantation measuring 0.476081 hectares.

“Let this operation serve as a strong warning to those who see our forests and farmlands as bases for criminal enterprise. The NDLEA Edo State Command will not rest until cannabis cultivation is rooted out of our communities. We are combining intelligence-driven surveillance, community engagement and decisive enforcement in this campaign,” he said.

Ofoyeju said the command remained committed to tackling drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the state, adding that it would continue to collaborate with the armed forces and other stakeholders to dismantle drug networks.

“This operation is not just a show of our capability but also reflects our unwavering determination to protect our communities from the harms of drug abuse and trafficking. We will continue to collaborate with the armed forces and other stakeholders to dismantle drug networks and reduce the impact of these illicit substances on our society,” he said.