Published by Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has launched a blistering attack on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over its continued destruction of cannabis farms across Nigeria, describing the practice as economically wasteful and “idiotic” at a time when the country is grappling with widespread poverty and unemployment. Sowore's criticism comes on the heels of the NDLEA Edo State Command's destruction of two cannabis plantations with an estimated yield of 4,628.9 kilogrammes and the arrest of 10 suspected drug traffickers in separate operations across the state.
In a post on X on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Sowore faulted the agency for destroying what he described as economically viable crops worth millions of dollars while the country drowns in multidimensional poverty. “It is idiotic @ndlea_nigeria wake up, put on uniforms, march into farms, and set economically viable crops worth millions of dollars ablaze while your country is drowning in multidimensional poverty,” Sowore wrote. He urged the government to stop destroying cannabis farms and instead legalise and regulate the cultivation of the plant to harness its medicinal and industrial potential. “Stop destroying cannabis farms. Stop wasting enormous economic opportunities in the name of a failed and outdated policy,” he said.
Sowore argued that Nigeria could benefit economically from a regulated cannabis industry through research, job creation and revenue generation. “Legalize and properly regulate cannabis. Invest in research, harness its legitimate medicinal and industrial potential, create jobs, generate revenue, and build an industry Nigerians can benefit from,” he said. He concluded his post with a sharp rebuke: “You cannot burn your way out of poverty, foolish people.”
The NDLEA Edo State Command had on Monday, August 17, confirmed the destruction of two cannabis farms located at Ugboku, Igbanke Forest, in the Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. The state Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the operations were carried out following credible intelligence and in line with the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa's operational order to dislodge illicit drug locations nationwide. The first farm, measuring 0.699792 hectares, had an estimated yield of 1,749.26 kilogrammes, and one suspect, 40-year-old Agholor Elebojie, was arrested in connection with it. The second farm, measuring 1.151889 hectares, had an estimated yield of 2,879.7225 kilogrammes, and two bags of processed cannabis sativa weighing 12.4 kilogrammes were recovered from it.
In separate operations at Oluku in Ovia North-East Local Government Area and Abuja Quarters in Oredo Local Government Area of Benin City, 10 suspected male drug traffickers were arrested with various quantities of illicit substances. At Oluku, 28-year-old Kingsley Anigala was arrested on August 14 with 25.857 kilogrammes of cannabis and 93 grammes of methamphetamine. At Abuja Quarters, nine suspects were arrested on August 13 with cannabis sativa, loud, tramadol, diazepam, Swinol, Danabol and methamphetamine. All the suspects have been taken into custody, and investigations are ongoing in preparation for prosecution.
Sowore's criticism is not the first time he has challenged the government's approach to cannabis. He has long advocated for the legalisation and regulation of cannabis, arguing that Nigeria loses enormous economic opportunities by criminalising the plant while other countries have built regulated industries around it and are benefiting economically. He has also previously claimed that the NDLEA does not actually burn cannabis but moves it to safe locations, a claim the agency has consistently denied.
The NDLEA has defended its operations, insisting that cannabis cultivation and trafficking remain illegal under Nigerian law and that the agency is committed to dismantling illicit drug networks across the country. The agency has also highlighted the dangers of cannabis abuse, particularly among young people, and has warned that the drug trade fuels other forms of organised crime.
As the debate over cannabis legalisation continues to intensify, Sowore's latest intervention has added a powerful voice to the growing calls for policy reform. His argument that Nigeria cannot burn its way out of poverty by destroying potential economic opportunities has resonated with many who believe that the country's approach to drug policy is outdated and counterproductive. Whether the government will heed his call remains to be seen, but Sowore has made it clear that he will not stop demanding change. “Stop destroying cannabis farms. Stop wasting enormous economic opportunities,” he declared. “You cannot burn your way out of poverty.”
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