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| NDLEA officers burn cannabis farm at dawn |
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency launched similar raids in Edo State days later. Teams struck forests in Ovia South West and Owan West LGAs. They removed 1,957.5 kilograms of skunk from wild plantations. Agency officers cut down plants and set them alight in burn pits . This operation added to the Cross River raid to total 77,000 kilograms of cannabis destroyed. NDLEA credits inter-state coordination for this swift action. The effort aimed to cut supply to urban markets. It also sent a strong message to traffickers.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Media and Advocacy Director, spoke in Abuja on May 25. He said the raids show the agency’s resolve against drug farms . He noted that hidden plots in forests still pose a danger. Babafemi urged communities to shun illicit cultivation. He added that any tip-off could lead to quick action. His words came as lawmakers debate tougher drug laws in Abuja. They hope to tighten penalties for large-scale growers.
Suspects were arrested at Esuk-Odot during the raid. Two men, aged 28 and 33, were found near the farm’s edge. They face charges under the National Drug Law Enforcement Act. That act bans cultivation of cannabis and other narcotics. Convictions can bring up to 12 years in jail or steep fines . Police sources say the pair confessed to tending the crop. They claimed they worked under threat from syndicates. Their trial date has not been set yet.
Cannabis farming has deep roots in parts of Cross River. Some families turned to it when food prices fell. The promise of quick cash draws farmers into illegal plots. Many lack access to credit for crops like cassava or maize. Experts say poverty and poor roads fuel illicit farming. Without support, some villagers accept offers from traffickers. They plant skunk for a share of profits. NDLEA and NGOs now urge alternative livelihoods in these zones.
Villagers at Esuk-Odot offered mixed views after the raid. A village head thanked NDLEA for protecting their homes. He said skunk farms attract armed groups and crime. He hopes legal crops will return to local farms. Yet a youth leader warned of sudden income loss. He said some locals had no other cash source. Aid groups plan to meet farmers this week. They aim to offer seeds, tools, and training for legal crops.
In Edo State, officers found skunk hidden in forest clearings. They tracked trails leading deeper into Ohosu and Okhuse woods. Officers used local guides to map the plantations. Once located, they uprooted plants by hand. They loaded stems onto trucks for burning . Residents nearby watched silently as fire consumed the rows. Many had never spoken to authorities before. The show of force stunned local gangs.
NDLEA’s strategy now includes drone patrols over forest belts. Drones equipped with cameras scan for green patches from above. Teams then move in with ground support. This tech helped find a hidden plot in Ekiti State last September . Drones spot irregular plant patterns amid trees and bushes. Officials say this cuts time and risk for operatives. It also surprises growers who thought forests hid them.
Data from NDLEA’s 2024 annual report show steady success. The agency destroyed over 220 hectares of cannabis farms nationwide last year. It also seized 2.6 million kilograms of illicit drugs. Authorities arrested more than 18,500 offenders and secured 3,250 convictions . These figures mark a rise from 2023. NDLEA credits better funding and tech for the boost. They also cite stronger local partnerships.
The legal framework in Nigeria bans all cannabis cultivation. The 1989 National Drug Law Enforcement Act prohibits growing or selling the plant. Amendments in 2019 raised penalties for large farms. Cultivators of over one hectare now face harsher sentences. Traffickers risk 10 to 12 years in prison. Experts say this deters big operators but worries small farmers. They fear harsh punishment for minor workers.
Lawmakers in Abuja are pushing new bills to strengthen drug laws. They want stiff fines for equipment providers and landowners who host farms. Some propose community service options for low-level offenders. Debates focus on balancing justice and mercy. Rural lawmakers seek programs to boost legal agriculture. They argue that planting cassava or cocoa yields stable income.
Cross River State’s economy relies on farming and fishing. Illegal farms hurt both sectors. Campers and fishermen say armed guards patrol some cannabis fields. They intimidate locals and drive away customers. Fish markets reported drops in sales near farm zones. NDLEA hopes the raids will restore peace. They also plan regular patrols along riverbanks.
Cannabis removal has environmental costs too. Burning large plant piles can harm soil and air. NDLEA uses controlled fires in pits lined with sand. They also plant cover crops like vetiver grass to prevent erosion. Officials say this practice helps heal the land. They monitor soil tests months after burns .
A public health expert in Abuja urged balanced efforts. She said removing farms is vital. But treatment for users must match this zeal. In 2024, over 8,200 Nigerians entered rehab programs for cannabis use . She wants more centers outside major cities. Rural addicts often lack access to care.
A criminologist in Calabar praised the NDLEA’s wins. He said hitting farms cuts supply dramatically. But he warned traffickers may shift to other regions. He urged authorities to monitor Delta and Edo forests more closely. He also called for cross-border patrols with Cameroon. Traffickers use remote border paths to move crops.
NDLEA seized more than skunk last month. In Lagos ports, agents intercepted codeine-based syrup and opioids worth N6.52 billion. They arrested two British nationals hiding cannabis in export crates . This shows a shift to smuggling over local cultivation. Agencies now work with customs and police to seal ports.
Economic analysts note that weed profits rarely reach village pockets. Most profits funnel to city dealers and brokers. Farmers often get low wages for planting and tending. NDLEA raids cut the crop before harvest, hurting small workers. Experts call for fair pay in legal crop alternatives. They say cooperatives and microloans can help.
Community leaders in Esuk-Odot seek a share of government support. They want a farmers’ co-op for cassava and plantain. They also ask for a cold-storage unit to reduce post-harvest losses. State officials have promised a feasibility study. They plan to roll out aid by September.
Youth groups in Cross River push for more job schemes. They got a government pledge for skills training. Programs include tailoring, weaving, and carpentry. These aim to keep youths from drug syndicates. Local parents welcome the plan. They say idle youth often fall prey to gangs.
Religious groups in the area held a prayer walk for peace after the raid. Priests and imams marched through Esuk-Odot with banners. They blessed farmlands and prayed for new crops. Villagers joined with songs and drums. Church leaders said unity can beat drug crime.
Experts warn that without jobs, villages may revert to illicit farms. They stress continuous support. They call for village-level committees to track aid use. These committees would report to state offices quarterly. Transparency, they say, builds trust.
NDLEA plans more raids in Delta and Imo States next month. They will use drones and mobile labs for drug tests. Lab teams can identify plant types on site. This speeds up case filings. They also plan joint drills with the army and navy.
Local schools now include drug awareness in classes. Teachers talk about health risks and legal troubles. Students take part in clean-up days around farms. A pilot program in three primary schools shows promise. Enrollment in awareness clubs rose by 60%.
NGOs like Campaign for Better Nigeria scored the NDLEA’s operations as effective. They urge more community ties. They want local watchers to report farms via hotlines. Early tips can stop plots before they grow large.
As fields smolder in Esuk-Odot, families pack seeds for legal crops. They hope for a better harvest next season. The old farm roads may turn into routes for maize and yam. Traders already scout the village for produce.
The Cross River raid joins a national push against drugs. This drive began in 2023 and shows no sign of slowing. With new laws and tech, authorities aim to shrink illicit plots nationwide. Residents now weigh the end of skunk farms against the rise of food crops.
Time will tell if this mix of raids, aid, and laws can break syndicates. For now, Esuk-Odot’s fields lie bare under heavy rains. Farmers watch the clouds, ready to plant new seeds. They dream of crops that feed families, not feed crime.