NDLEA nabs farmers in Osun for growing cannabis

Two farmers have been arrested in Ikoyi Forest located in the Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State by officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for using 100 hectares of land to grow cannabis.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the NDLEA apprehended the suspects – Opute Abbi and Peter Bonduku – during an operation that lasted for 36 hours. The operation, it was gathered, was a combined effort of the agency’s officials from the South West and Edo State Command...

It was also learnt that the suspects, who hail from Delta State, were found in the farms where they also lived.

Abbi, 48, said his inability to fend for his family of three pushed him to the act, adding that he started the “job” recently. “It was poverty that led me to this act. I have three children and catering for their needs have been very hard. When things became unbearable, I had no option but to engage myself in drug cultivation to have a source of income,” Abbi said. Fifty five-year-old Bonduku and father of four gave a similar account. He said he was formerly living in Lagos, but had to flee the state when life became tough for him and his family. He added that he was evicted by his landlord when he could not afford to pay the rent. He said, “I live in Lagos but my landlord evicted me for my inability to pay rent. While searching for means of livelihood, I met with somebody who hired me to cultivate the cannabis plantation for him.” The NDLEA’s Director of Operations and General Investigation, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo, who confirmed the arrest, said the raid was part of the agency’s efforts to launch attacks on drugs syndicates and trafficking. He stated further that a team of 80 officials invaded the forest following an intelligence report.

Mabo said, “I personally participated in the operation because of the seriousness attached to it by management. The activities of cannabis cultivators are a threat to food security. We were able to trace the farms because of intelligence report which the agency has been processing for several months. “Two farmers, Opute Abbi, 48, and Peter Bonduku, 55, resident in the cannabis plantation, were apprehended. “The 100 hectares of cannabis plantation in Ikoyi Forest, Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State have been destroyed.” The NDLEA chairman, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, promised that the agency would continue to destroy cannabis plantations across the country until perpetrators were identified and punished. He said, “NDLEA has declared a total war against cannabis cultivators in the country. “The renewed attack on drug cartels is aimed at halting the large scale cultivation of cannabis otherwise known as hemp. “It will also prevent the replacement of cocoa and food crops with the deadly plant.”