NDLEA destroys two cannabis farms in Edo and makes eleven arrests
Nigeria's drug agency destroyed 1.85 hectares of cannabis in the Igbanke forest and arrested eleven people, nine of them young men at one spot in Benin City. An opposition politician called the burning of farms a waste: "You cannot burn your way out of poverty."
🇳🇬 Igbanke forest, Orhionmwon, Edo State · Nigeria
- Arrested
- 11
- Hectares
- 1.9
The Edo State command of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) destroyed two cannabis farms at Ugboku, in the Igbanke forest of Orhionmwon local government area.[1] Together they covered 1.85 hectares, which the agency said would have yielded about 4,629 kilograms.[1] A 40-year-old man, Agholor Elebojie, was arrested in connection with the first farm, and 12.4 kilograms of processed cannabis were found at the second.[1]
Arrests in Benin City
On 13 August, agents arrested nine men aged 20 to 35 at Abuja Quarters in Benin City, a place the agency calls a drug flashpoint.[1] Most were found with small amounts: a few hundred grams of cannabis or “Loud”, together with tramadol, diazepam and other pills.[1] The men come from Nasarawa, Katsina, Kano and Benue states, among others.[1] On 14 August, a 28-year-old from Delta State was arrested at Oluku with about 26 kilograms of cannabis and 93 grams of methamphetamine.[1] The command said all of them are in custody while investigators prepare their prosecution.[1]
“Cannot burn its way out of poverty”
A day later, Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and presidential candidate for 2027, called the destruction of cannabis farms wasteful and told the agency to stop.[2] He asked for cannabis to be legalised and regulated, and for research into its medical and industrial uses, saying an industry could create jobs and government revenue.[2]
Sources
- NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms Worth 4628kg, Arrests 10 Suspected Traffickers In Edo. Sahara Reporters, 17 August 2026.
- Sowore Condemns NDLEA Over Cannabis Farms Destruction, Says Nigeria 'Cannot Burn Its Way Out Of Poverty'. Sahara Reporters, 18 August 2026.
