Human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency over the destruction of cannabis farms in Edo State.

Sowore called on the agency to stop destroying cannabis plantations and urged the Federal Government to legalise and regulate cannabis cultivation in Nigeria.

Sowore demands change in cannabis policy

Sowore made the comments in a post on X on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after the NDLEA reported the destruction of two cannabis plantations in Edo State.

He argued that the government was destroying crops with significant economic potential while the country continues to battle widespread poverty.

Sowore said Nigeria could benefit from a regulated cannabis industry through medicinal and industrial research, job creation and revenue generation.

NDLEA destroys 4,628.9kg of cannabis

The NDLEA Edo State Command reported that its operatives destroyed two cannabis plantations with an estimated yield of 4,628.9 kilogrammes.

The first plantation was located at Ugboku, Igbanke Forest, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. It measured 0.699792 hectares and had an estimated yield of 1,749.26 kilogrammes.

A 40-year-old suspect, Agholor Elebojie, was arrested in connection with the farm.

The second plantation measured 1.151889 hectares and had an estimated yield of 2,879.7225 kilogrammes. Operatives also recovered two bags of processed cannabis weighing 12.4 kilogrammes.

Ten suspects arrested

The NDLEA also announced the arrest of 10 suspected drug traffickers during separate operations in Edo State.

One of the operations took place at Oluku in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, where a 28-year-old suspect, Kingsley Anigala, was arrested with 25.857 kilogrammes of cannabis and 93 grammes of methamphetamine.

Nine other suspects were arrested at Abuja Quarters in Oredo Local Government Area of Benin City.

The suspects were found with various substances, including cannabis, tramadol, diazepam, Swinol, Danabol and methamphetamine.

The NDLEA said the suspects remained in custody while investigations continued ahead of prosecution.

Sowore pushes for legalisation

Sowore maintained that Nigeria should consider a regulated cannabis industry rather than relying solely on the destruction of plantations.

He argued that investment in research and regulated cultivation could create jobs and generate revenue while allowing the country to explore legitimate medicinal and industrial uses of cannabis.

The debate comes as the NDLEA continues its nationwide campaign against illicit drug cultivation and trafficking.