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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a stern warning to traditional rulers in Ondo State, urging them to desist from selling land within their communities to individuals involved in the cultivation of illegal drugs, particularly cannabis.
This caution was delivered by the NDLEA State Commandant, Mr. Nanzing Daniel Salah, during a media briefing at the agency’s command headquarters in Akure, the state capital. He expressed serious concern over the increasing number of cannabis farms discovered in forested areas under the jurisdiction or ownership of traditional institutions.
According to Mr. Salah, many of these lands, originally intended for communal use or agricultural development, are now being illegally utilized to grow cannabis sativa. He emphasized that the financial proceeds from such illicit activities are not only fueling organized crime but are also contributing to the degradation of the state’s natural environment.
“Traditional institutions must take responsibility and stop the sale of land to drug cultivators,” he said. “Cannabis is mostly planted in the forest, and the revenue generated from its trade is often channeled into criminal enterprises. This persistent cultivation is ravaging our forest reserves, destroying biodiversity, and rendering fertile land useless for food production — a situation that aggravates food insecurity.”
The Commandant also disclosed alarming figures from the agency’s operations within the first half of 2025. A total of 294 suspects were arrested for drug-related offences during the first quarter of the year.
Between January and June, the NDLEA successfully destroyed over 29,656 hectares of cannabis plantations and seized approximately 22,710.585 kilograms of various narcotics and prohibited substances.
Mr. Salah also drew attention to the troubling role played by some local communities. He accused certain residents of shielding drug traffickers rather than assisting security agencies with actionable intelligence. “Community collaboration is critical. It is disheartening that instead of cooperating with law enforcement, some people choose to harbour and protect those involved in these illegal acts,” he said.
In a bid to curb the menace of drug abuse and trafficking, the NDLEA has also made progress in rehabilitation and legal prosecution.
Within the review period, 130 drug users were successfully rehabilitated, while 33 suspects were convicted and sentenced by the courts. In addition, five vehicles used in drug-related operations were confiscated and forfeited to the federal government.
The agency reiterated its commitment to working with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to intensify its campaign against drug trafficking and illicit cultivation.
The NDLEA called on traditional leaders, community heads, and citizens to partner with law enforcement in preserving the safety, health, and food security of the state.