PRESS RELEASE
The Chairman/Chief
Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade has
deployed a tractor for the destruction of cannabis plantation at Gbongan Forest
reserve, Ayedade Local Government Area of Osun State. Giade said that the
Agency took the initiative in response to the growing magnitude of cannabis
cultivation in the South West States. The estimated street value of 676,800kg
of destroyed cannabis on the 57 hectares is 6.8 billion naira.
The operation lasted from
Thursday October 9, to Sunday October 12, 2014. A suspected drug baron, Godspower
Chibogu, 51-year-old who allegedly financed the cultivation of the cannabis
plantations was traced to his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State where he was
apprehended. He was taken to the farm where he witnessed the destruction. A Peugeot
406 saloon car belonging to the suspect was also impounded.
NDLEA Chairman promised
to arrest more barons and destroy cannabis plantations. “This is the first time
the NDLEA is engaging the services of a tractor in the destruction of a
cannabis farm. The farms are so large that it takes several days and weeks to
destroy manually. Deploying heavy duty equipment to the farms makes the task
simpler and faster. It is also a demonstration of our commitment to the
eradication of cannabis cultivation. In the past few months, we have destroyed
several cannabis plantations. More barons shall be arrested and cannabis
plantations destroyed” Giade stated.
According to the NDLEA
Chairman, cannabis is the greatest drug challenge in the country. In his words,
“the major drug problem in the country remains cannabis. It accounts for over
ninety percent of total drug seized by the NDLEA. We are therefore concentrating
efforts at addressing the problem at the grass root level. Taking the battle to
the farms has yielded significant success. We are determined to destroy all
cannabis farms and cut off supply to users. This is one of our strategies of reducing
crime and violence in our country”.
The NDLEA Director of
Operations and General Investigation, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo expressed delight with
the success of the operations. According to Mabo, “the successful arrest of the
suspected drug baron, Godspower Chibogu who has been on the trail of the Agency
underscores the fact that drug barons have no hiding place. We are prepared to
cross over more rivers and climb more mountains to destroy cannabis plantations”.
Meanwhile, the farm
operation that lasted 72 hours was led by the NDLEA Commander of the Joint Task
Force (JTF), Mr. Muyiwa Adeniyi. “Farm destruction operation is a very
difficult assignment but at the end of the day when you look back at the vast
expanse of land covered coupled with the overall benefits to the country, we
are happy. This is a very successful operation” Muyiwa stated.
The suspected drug baron
has given useful information to the investigating officers. “I gave out money
for people to farm cannabis for me. I used to be a transporter but when my
business was recording losses; I sold my buses and invested the money in
cannabis cultivation. This is my first time” Godspower who hails from Delta
State stated.
He will soon be charged
to court.
Ofoyeju Mitchell
Head, Public Affairs,
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