Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over the destruction of cannabis plantations in Edo State, calling on the Federal Government to consider legalising and regulating cannabis cultivation.
Sowore made the call in a post on X on Tuesday, questioning the continued destruction of cannabis farms at a time when many Nigerians are facing economic hardship and unemployment.
According to him, rather than destroying cannabis plantations, the government should establish a regulatory framework that would allow the country to benefit from the crop’s legitimate medicinal and industrial applications.
“Legalize 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,” Sowore stated.
His remarks came after the Edo State Command of the NDLEA announced the destruction of two cannabis plantations with a combined estimated yield of 4,628.98 kilogrammes.
The agency also reported the arrest of 10 suspected drug traffickers during separate operations across the state.
The NDLEA State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said on Monday that the operations were conducted following credible intelligence and were part of the agency’s nationwide efforts to dismantle illicit drug cultivation and trafficking networks.
One of the plantations, located at Ugboku in Igbanke Forest, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, covered approximately 0.7 hectares and was estimated to have a yield of 1,749.26 kilogrammes of cannabis. A 40-year-old suspect, Agholor Elebojie, was reportedly arrested in connection with the farm.
The second plantation covered about 1.15 hectares and had an estimated yield of 2,879.72 kilogrammes. NDLEA operatives also recovered two bags of processed cannabis sativa weighing 12.4 kilogrammes from the location.
Beyond the farm raids, the agency said it arrested 10 male suspects in separate operations and recovered various illicit substances.
At Oluku in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, 28-year-old Kingsley Anigala was arrested on August 14 with 25.857 kilogrammes of cannabis and 93 grammes of methamphetamine.
In another operation at Abuja Quarters in Oredo Local Government Area of Benin City, nine suspects were arrested on August 13. Authorities said the suspects were found with cannabis sativa, loud, tramadol, diazepam, Swinol, Danabol and methamphetamine.
Ofoyeju said the suspects remain in custody while investigations are ongoing, with prosecution expected to follow the conclusion of the investigations.
While the NDLEA maintains that destroying illicit cannabis plantations is necessary to combat drug abuse, cultivation and trafficking, Sowore is pushing for a different approach centred on legalisation, regulation and economic development.
His position has renewed the debate over Nigeria’s cannabis policy, particularly whether regulated cultivation for approved medical, industrial and research purposes could generate employment and government revenue while maintaining safeguards against illicit drug abuse.
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The contrasting positions highlight a broader policy question for Nigeria: whether cannabis should remain entirely prohibited or whether a carefully controlled legal framework could allow the country to benefit from its potential economic and industrial value.
