Buba Marwa, chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has revealed that the agency is introducing alternative development projects to reduce illegal drug cultivation and end the long-running clash between security agencies and illicit drug producers.
Gatekeepers News reports that Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA spokesperson, said Marwa spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Tuesday during the launch of the initiative.
He explained that the project is meant to give cannabis growers better and legal means of earning a living, while also improving food production in line with the renewed hope agenda.
Marwa said that although illegal drug cultivation remains a serious challenge, it can be tackled through unity and lasting solutions driven by communities.
“This town hall meeting is designed for us to rub minds, work together, and agree on a friendly, community-centred approach to tackle the challenges of illicit drugs and related environmental crimes. We are not here to talk at you,” he said.
“We are here to talk with you. From this engagement, we look forward to sustainable commitments that will lead to a permanent exit from the world of illicit drugs.”
“We know the nexus between drug use, trafficking and criminalities, Boko Haram, banditry, terrorism, etc. They use drugs before carrying out their nefarious activities and sell drugs to raise funds.”
He said the meeting was organised to strengthen community support for the project, identify legal crops farmers can grow, and build structures that will help people move from illicit cultivation to stable and lawful farming.
He added that the programme will involve cannabis growers, vulnerable groups, and other stakeholders to ensure that the communities fully own the initiative and keep it running long-term.
“We will promote inclusivity by ensuring that illicit croppers, vulnerable individuals, and all community stakeholders are active participants in this implementation; we want to ensure project ownership, because this initiative belongs to you, the people, as well as ensure its long-term sustainability,” Marwa added.
Marwa also said the offer is meant for communities that are truly ready to stop illegal cropping and adopt legal alternatives. He mentioned that farmers can switch to crops with strong economic value, including Artemisia annua, which can also be useful in treating malaria and other illnesses.
“There is a wide range of licit cash and food crops, such as Artemisia annua, which has a higher financial value than cannabis, in addition to other beneficial properties in the cure of malaria and other ailments,” he said.
Marwa said the agency wants a full shift into legal food and cash crop farming, noting that although illicit drugs bring huge profits, the money rarely benefits the communities where the crops are grown.
“We want to facilitate a total shift from illicit cropping to massive food and cash crop production. We must face the hard truth: illicit drugs generate large financial profits, but this wealth rarely reflects in the communities where these drugs are grown.
“While the kingpins prosper elsewhere, the cultivating communities are often left with poverty, soil degradation, and insecurity. Our primary focus, therefore, is the crop substitution programme.”
He assured farmers that the project is not a trap to arrest or detain anyone. The Meanwhile, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Governor of Ondo, welcomed the initiative and said the state government will support NDLEA efforts to reduce drug abuse and illegal cultivation.
“I therefore wish to use this opportunity to assure the NDLEA of the continued support and cooperation of Ondo state government under my leadership towards stemming the tide of drug abuse here in Ondo state and in Nigeria at large,” Aiyedatiwa said.
