The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed a large cannabis farm weighing over 18,000 kilogrammes in Edo State.
The plantation, located in Ugbogui Forest in Ovia South West Local Government Area, was raided on September 11 following intelligence reports, according to a statement issued on Monday by the state commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju.
Ofoyeju said the farm covered about 6.79 hectares and was capable of producing nearly 17,000 kilogrammes of cannabis. He added that officers also recovered 120 bags of harvested and processed cannabis weighing 1,176 kilogrammes.
He expressed concern that farmlands meant for food crops were being converted to cannabis plantations, describing the development as a major threat to food security.
“This operation underscores our commitment to tackling illicit drug cultivation. If these lands are used for food and cash crops, the challenge of food shortage will be better addressed,” he said.
The commander confirmed that four suspects were arrested on the farm. They include three men from Akwa Ibom State – Emmanuel Monday, 29, David Sunday, 30, and Ebenizer Wang, 48 – as well as a 45-year-old man from Delta State, Oshare John.
He said investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be prosecuted.
Ofoyeju urged members of the public to continue sharing intelligence with the NDLEA, stressing that community support was vital in curbing the menace of drug cultivation and trafficking.
In June, NDLEA operatives destroyed about 30 hectares of cannabis plantation in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, where suspects were also arrested.