The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in collaboration with Ogun State Government has destroyed 15 hectares of Indian hemp farm in Imosa, in Ijebu-East Local Government Area of the state.
The exercise was carried out under the supervision of the Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun, and the state Commander of NDLEA, Mrs Archie- Abia Ibinabo, alongside the Chief Security Adviser to the state governor, the Commander of the State Security Outfit (Amotekun Corps), and some government officials.
Speaking, Oludotun said the exercise was borne out of the state government and NDLEA determination at eradicating illegal activities, especially planting, harvesting, and marketing of narcotics in any part of the state.
The commissioner added that the development formed part of the reasons the government directed all Baales in the enclaves to take census of the people living among them and their occupations to ascertain dwellers who have no legitimate means of livelihood.
He said: “The state government has been magnanimous to have allowed people to engage in farming both for subsistence and commercial purposes in its forest reserves, and that should not be taken for granted.”
Oludotun assured that the exercise would be sustained to rid the state of anti-social elements and illegal activities, noting that an Indian hemp farm was destroyed by men of So-Safe Corps at Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state.
Also speaking, the NDLEA boss in Ogun State, Ibinabo said the anti-drug agency got wind of the plantation as a result of the information provided by members of the public, which she said necessitated the action put up by the officers of the command to set the farm on fire after it discovery.
The commander added that the agency would continue to perform its responsibilities in line with the law, applauding the efforts of men and officers of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Police Force for their cooperation.
