NDLEA, Nigerian Army destroy massive cannabis farm in Ekiti forest reserve

September 08, 2024

By Sakuel Ogunsona

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Army have jointly destroyed a massive cannabis farm in the Ise-Ekiti forest reserve, Ekiti State.

The operation, codenamed “Operation Forest Storm”, was carried out on September 3 and 4, 2024, and targeted three camps in the forest reserve, where over 100,000 kilograms of cannabis were spread across 51 hectares of farmland. The affected settlements include Aba Saalaja (23 hectares), Aba Paanu (12 hectares), and Aba Arogunmatidi (16 hectares).

According to NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the joint operation was the result of weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering by NDLEA operatives. “Our operatives worked tirelessly to gather intelligence on the location and scope of the cannabis farm, and we are pleased to have successfully destroyed it,” Babafemi said.

The operation involved over 100 NDLEA operatives and Nigerian Army personnel, who stormed the forest reserve in the early hours of September 3. The teams were able to destroy the entire cannabis farm, including over 100,000 kilograms of dried cannabis and several hectares of cannabis plants.

The NDLEA has pledged to continue its efforts to eradicate drug cultivation and trafficking in Nigeria, and has called on members of the public to provide information on suspected drug-related activities.

This operation is part of the government efforts to fight against drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria, and demonstrates the commitment of the NDLEA and Nigerian Army to making Nigeria a drug-free nation.