The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised concerns over the increasing cultivation of cannabis in Edo State, warning that the trend could lead to a significant food shortage if urgent interventions are not implemented.
The Edo State Commander of the agency, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, expressed the concern on Tuesday while speaking at the Edo Central Senatorial District Town Hall meeting organised by Senator Joseph Ikpea in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area.
Speaking on the theme, “Cannabis Cultivation and Rural Insecurity in Edo Central,” Ofoyeju stated that some farmers were abandoning legitimate food production and converting arable land and forest reserves into cannabis plantations.
He warned that the continued expansion of cannabis cultivation could reduce available farmland for food production, thereby worsening the state’s food security challenges.
Ofoyeju also linked the proliferation of cannabis farms to rising insecurity, including kidnapping, arms proliferation, cultism, and youth exploitation.
According to him, what initially began as small-scale, concealed cultivation has evolved into large plantations and an emerging criminal ecosystem across several rural communities.
“Cannabis cultivation has created a violent ecosystem that threatens the very fabric of rural communities,” he said.
The NDLEA commander further noted that legitimate farmers are increasingly living in fear of attacks, making it difficult for them to access their farmlands and sustain food production.
He described the situation as a “dangerous shift” from food farming to illicit cannabis cultivation, with accompanying environmental degradation.
Ofoyeju also expressed concern over the health implications of substance abuse, warning that prolonged drug use can severely damage vital organs, including the brain, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.
He further associated drug abuse with the rise in cultism and violent crime, alleging that substances such as tramadol, codeine, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine are being used by criminal groups involved in cult clashes, kidnapping, extortion, and arms trafficking.
The Edo NDLEA commander, however, maintained that effective drug control measures could significantly reduce crime in the state, noting that drug abuse is a major driver of criminal activity.
To address the challenge, Ofoyeju outlined a multi-pronged strategy centred on community participation, intelligence gathering, and enforcement.
He proposed the establishment of confidential community-based intelligence networks and quarterly stakeholder engagements involving traditional rulers, youth leaders, and women’s groups.
He also advocated coordinated operations to dismantle cannabis plantations, alongside skill acquisition programmes and start-up grants with toolkits for individuals willing to transition from illicit cultivation to legitimate livelihoods.
Ofoyeju urged community leaders and other stakeholders to take ownership of the fight against drug trafficking, assuring residents that the NDLEA would continue efforts to protect forest reserves from cannabis cultivation and safeguard the future of young people in the state.
In his remarks, Senator Joseph Ikpea, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, commended the NDLEA commander for the presentation.
Ikpea described drug abuse and illicit drug cultivation as critical challenges affecting communities and pledged to leverage his position in the Senate to support efforts aimed at addressing the problem.
“I am delighted with this presentation on a topical issue affecting all segments of society. While my committee is working hard to address the drug problem in the country, I will ensure that my constituency is free from the ravaging effects of drugs,” he said.
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