NDLEA Boss Marwa Says Edo Among States Targeted For Alternative To Cannabis Farming

by Idahosa Moses | Benin

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed plans to persuade cannabis farmers in Edo State and other parts of the country to abandon illicit cultivation for legitimate agricultural production, including cassava, yam and maize.

The agency said the initiative, known as Alternative Development, was aimed at addressing the economic incentives behind cannabis cultivation by providing farmers with lawful livelihood options while strengthening the country’s fight against illicit drugs.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed on Wednesday during a visit to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, in Benin City, where he sought the monarch’s support for the agency’s anti-drug campaign.

Marwa said Edo was among the states where cannabis was cultivated, adding that the agency had introduced the new strategy to persuade growers to embrace legitimate farming rather than continue with illicit crops.

He explained that cannabis accounted for about 75 per cent of the 16 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit substances seized by the agency in the last six years, largely because of its local cultivation.

“Of the 16 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit substances that we have seized in the last six years, 75 per cent is cannabis because we cultivate it in Nigeria. And Edo State is one of the cultivating states also.

“So we have introduced alternative development as a strategic pillar in which we are appealing and persuading the growers of cannabis to desist from illicit cropping and plant cassava, yam, corn and other licit substances,” he said.

The NDLEA boss noted that some of the farmers had welcomed the initiative, explaining that although cannabis cultivation offered higher financial returns, legitimate agricultural activities would enable them to earn a living without the fear and consequences associated with illegal production.

He described the programme as the first of its kind in Africa, saying it had received the endorsement of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Federal Government as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda to move illicit crop farmers away from criminal activities into legitimate businesses.

Marwa, who was in Edo State to assess the NDLEA State Command and address the Regimental Sergeant Majors Convention of the Nigerian Army, also solicited the intervention of traditional rulers in tackling the growing menace of drug abuse.

He identified drug abuse as one of the major challenges confronting Nigeria, disclosing that more than 15 million Nigerians were involved in drug abuse, a figure he said was about three times the global average.

He stressed that the fight required the collective efforts of traditional institutions, religious organisations, civil society groups, government and the media, but maintained that traditional rulers had a particularly important role in mobilising communities.

“Over 15 million Nigerians are abusing drugs. This is three times the global average. It is a whole-of-society approach. We need the traditional institution, church, CSOs, government, media, because all hands must be on deck. But most importantly, the traditional institution,” he said.

He commended the Oba of Benin for his support for drug control and other social interventions, expressing confidence that the traditional institution could help strengthen public awareness and discourage illicit drug activities at the community level.

Responding, Oba Ewuare II commended the NDLEA for its efforts against illicit drugs and drug abuse in the country and promised to offer his personal counsel to the agency’s chairman on the campaign.