Human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over its destruction of cannabis farms in Edo State, urging the Federal Government to legalise and regulate cannabis cultivation to unlock its economic potential.
Sowore made the call in a post on X on Tuesday, August 18, after the NDLEA disclosed that it had destroyed two cannabis plantations in Edo State with an estimated combined yield of 4,628.9 kilogrammes.
He argued that destroying cannabis farms was a waste of potentially valuable agricultural and industrial resources at a time when Nigeria is struggling with widespread poverty.
Sowore said the government should instead establish a regulated cannabis industry, invest in research and explore the plant’s legitimate medicinal and industrial uses.
“Stop destroying cannabis farms. Stop wasting enormous economic opportunities in the name of a failed and outdated policy,” he said.
He further argued that a regulated cannabis sector could create jobs, generate government revenue and contribute to economic development.
The NDLEA, however, said its operations were conducted as part of its nationwide mandate to dismantle illicit drug production and trafficking.
According to the agency’s Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the two plantations were located in Ugboku, Igbanke Forest, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. The first measured 0.699792 hectares and had an estimated yield of 1,749.26kg, while the second covered 1.151889 hectares with an estimated yield of 2,879.72kg.
The agency also reported the arrest of 10 suspected drug traffickers in separate operations across the state, with cannabis, methamphetamine and other controlled substances recovered.
The NDLEA said the operations were carried out following credible intelligence and were in line with an operational directive to dismantle illicit drug-producing locations nationwide.
Sowore’s comments have therefore reopened the debate over Nigeria’s cannabis policy, particularly whether the country should maintain a prohibition-focused approach or move towards regulated cultivation for medicinal, industrial and economic purposes.
