The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA on Thursday, June 18, 2015 destroyed a 43- hectare cannabis plantation at the forest reserve of Oyo State.
The agency also implored the government to partner with them in a bid to nip the illegal cannabis planting in the bud.
This was made known to journalists by the commander of the agency in the state, Mrs Faboyede Omolade, at the Seriki Gambari Forest Reserve in Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.
The exercise was conducted by operatives from the NDLEA, Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
Others included operatives of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) as well as officials of the Oyo State Ministry of Natural Resources and Forest Reserve.
The agency on Thursday, June 11, 2015 raided the same forest reserve and destroyed 24 hectares of cannabis plantation.
Omolade said, “In order to achieve our goal of tackling drug trafficking and cannabis cultivation we need to partner with the state government.
“We were here last week and it is shocking to discover another 43 hectares of cannabis and from what we are looking at, it can extend to about 2,000 hectares.
“If the state government bring investors to cultivate the land for agricultural purposes, it will be occupied and it will also serve as a means of empowering youths for employment.”
The NDLEA boss noted that the illegal activities would be reduced if more youths join in the fight.
According to her, the forest reserve covers about 11, 000 hectares and agricultural activities will ensure that the forest is not destroyed further.
She added, “We are not relenting in our efforts and we intend to strategise the more while hoping that we get assistance from our foreign partners.”
