The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in collaboration with Ogun State Government has destroyed 15 hectares of Indian hemp farm in Imosa enclave in Ijebu-East Local Government Area of the State.
The burning was supervised by Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun and State Commander of NDLEA, Commander (Mrs.) Archie-Abia Ibinabo in conjunction with the Chief Security Adviser to the Governor, AIG, Olusola Subair (rtd), the Commander of the State Security Outfit (Amotekun Corps), Commissioner of Police, David Akinremi (rtd) and some top government functionaries.
Oludotun said the exercise followed resolve of the government and NDLEA to eradicate illegal activities, especially planting, harvesting, and marketing of narcotics in any part of the State.
The Commissioner, who made this known in a statement by the Press Officer, Ministry of Forestry, Mr. Kayode Oduyebo, added that the development formed part of the reasons the government directed all Baales in the area to take census of the people living among them and their occupations to ascertain dwellers who have no legitimate means of livelihood.
He said: “The State government has been magnanimous to have allowed people to engage in farming both for subsistence and commercial purposes in its forest reserves, and that should not be taken for granted.”
Oludotun assured that the exercise would be sustained to rid the State of anti-social elements and illegal activities, noting that a similar one had been carried out by men of So-Safe Corps at Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government Area of the State.
Mrs. Ibinabo said the agency was tipped – off on the plantation and the officers of the command acting on the information, verified it to be factual and set the farm on fire afterwards.
The Commander said the agency would continue to perform its responsibility in line with the law, applauding the efforts of men and officers of the State Directorate of Security Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police for their cooperation.
