Sowore Urges NDLEA to Legalize Cannabis in Nigeria

Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), criticized the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for destroying cannabis farms in Edo State. He argued that the destruction of these economically viable crops is counterproductive, especially as Nigeria faces significant poverty challenges.

Sowore called for the legalization and regulation of cannabis cultivation to tap into its medicinal and industrial potential, stating, “Stop destroying cannabis farms. Stop wasting enormous economic opportunities in the name of a failed and outdated policy.” The NDLEA's Edo State Command reported the destruction of two cannabis plantations with an estimated yield of 4,628.9 kilogrammes and the arrest of ten suspected drug traffickers.

The operations were conducted based on credible intelligence, with one farm located in Ugboku, Igbanke Forest, yielding 1,749.26 kilogrammes, and the second measuring 1.151889 hectares yielding 2,879.7225 kilogrammes. The NDLEA's actions align with Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa’s directive to dismantle illicit drug locations nationwide.