The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Ogun State Command, has dismantled a six-hectare Indian hemp farm in Alaka Village, marking a significant milestone in the agency’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking.
Disclosing this during a news conference in Abeokuta on Thursday, the state commandant, Mr. Tijani Rabe, said four suspects had been apprehended in connection with the illicit cultivation. He added that investigations into the case are ongoing.
The news conference also served as an opportunity for the agency to present its 2024 performance report, highlighting key achievements in its anti-drug operations.
According to Rabe, the command arrested 675 drug offenders within the year, confiscating a staggering 9.7 tons of solid drugs and 537.81 litres of liquid-based illicit substances.
In November, the command launched a special operation tagged Operation Closed Gates, which aimed to seal off entry points for drug traffickers into Ogun State.
The operation led to the arrest of a suspect with 100 bags of Indian hemp, weighing 1.3 tons.
“Operation Closed Gates was initiated as part of our Yuletide strategy and has yielded remarkable success. It targeted drug merchants and syndicates, effectively blocking access routes into the state,” Rabe stated.
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA intensified its public awareness campaigns, conducting 128 sensitisation programmes in schools, communities, and workplaces.
The agency estimates that approximately 27,648 people benefited from these initiatives aimed at educating the public on the dangers of drug abuse.
The agency also reported significant legal victories, securing 221 convictions against drug offenders. Many other cases, Rabe noted, are at various stages of prosecution.
This is not the first time such illicit farming activities have been uncovered in Ogun State.
In 2022, the state police command discovered a large expanse of land dedicated to Indian hemp cultivation, leading to the arrest of seven suspects.
The NDLEA’s recent operations, including the destruction of the six-hectare farmland, underline the agency’s commitment to curbing drug trafficking and abuse in Ogun and beyond.
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