The Edo State Government is intensifying efforts to curb illegal cannabis cultivation in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), officials said on Wednesday, highlighting a strategy that balances drug control with sustainable agriculture.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns over the encroachment of farmland by cannabis farms, which has negatively impacted food production and the livelihoods of rural communities across the state. During a working visit to the NDLEA headquarters in Benin City, Dr Jerry Uwangue, Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, met with NDLEA Commander Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju to map out coordinated strategies to tackle the issue.
The meeting focused on alternative development programmes, which encourage farmers to replace cannabis with legal crops, as well as plans for the confiscation of land used for illicit cultivation. Both agencies emphasized collaboration to strengthen enforcement while promoting productive agricultural activities.
Commander Ofoyeju disclosed that since January 2025, the Edo State Command has carried out nine major cannabis farm destruction operations, covering 77.5 hectares and seizing an estimated 193,491.1 kilograms of cannabis. He noted that the destruction of these farms, while necessary to curb drug proliferation, also represents a significant opportunity cost for food production in the state.
“This huge yield would have contributed immensely to addressing food insecurity,” Ofoyeju said. “Prosecution of cannabis cultivators and confiscation of land serve as both a deterrent and a way to redirect farmland toward productive crops.”
Dr Uwangue commended the NDLEA for its role in combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking, stressing that a coordinated approach between agricultural and law enforcement agencies is crucial. He explained that many rural communities have turned to cannabis cultivation due to the high returns it offers, but this comes at the expense of sustainable farming and food production.
Officials agreed that the strategy will combine field monitoring, public awareness campaigns, and support for alternative livelihoods, including provision of inputs for food crops, to encourage farmers to transition from illegal cannabis cultivation.
The collaboration signals Edo State’s commitment to a dual approach: enforcing the law against illegal drugs while promoting economic empowerment and food security. Authorities say reclaiming farmland from cannabis farms will not only reduce drug availability but also enhance local agriculture, strengthen community livelihoods, and improve overall public safety.
As Edo ramps up these efforts, government officials called for public cooperation, urging communities to report cannabis farms and participate in programmes that support legal farming ventures.