NDLEA destroys 18,000kg cannabis farm in Edo, arrests four suspects, warning that drug cultivation threatens food security in the state

In a statement on Monday, the state commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, confirmed that the raid on 11 September led to the destruction of over 18,000 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa and the arrest of four suspects.

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According to Ofoyeju, the operation followed actionable intelligence and demonstrated the agency’s determination to curb illicit drug cultivation.

“The massive cannabis farm destruction operation is posing a serious threat to food security.

If these forests can be utilised only for the cultivation of food and cash crops, the challenge of food shortage will be adequately addressed,” he said.

The NDLEA disclosed that the plantation, covering 6.79 hectares, had an estimated yield of 16,966 kilogrammes. In addition, officers seized 120 bags of harvested and processed cannabis weighing 1,176 kilogrammes.

Four men were apprehended at the scene while hiding in tents on the farm.

They include Ebenizer Wang, 48, from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; Oshare John, 45, from Ughelli South, Delta State; Emmanuel Monday, 29, from Eket, Akwa Ibom State; and David Sunday, 30, from Ugad, Akwa Ibom State.

The commander confirmed that investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged in court.

He urged members of the public to support the agency with intelligence, stressing that vigilance was key to promoting public health and safety.

The raid echoes a similar operation in June when NDLEA officers destroyed 30 hectares of cannabis plantations in Odukpani, Cross River State.