The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested three suspects for allegedly cultivating cannabis sativa in Ekiti State.
According to the NDLEA State Commander, Rufus Aina, operatives destroyed 125,750 kilograms of cannabis sativa during raids in Igbara Odo and Ilawe Ekiti forests, while another 3,456 kilograms of the illegal substance were recovered.
Aina disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday by the agency’s Public Relations Officer in Ekiti, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics, Ifeoluwa Fabiyi. He said the operations took place between Friday, October 17, and Monday, October 20, 2025.
He explained that 72,500 kilograms of fresh cannabis planted on about 29.7 hectares were destroyed in Igbara Odo Forest, while 53,250 kilograms were cleared in Ilawe Ekiti. In addition, several nursery beds of young cannabis plants awaiting transplanting were also destroyed.
Aina noted that the operation was part of “Operation Weed Crusher 2025,” a statewide crackdown aimed at dismantling cannabis cultivation networks and disrupting supply chains.
“This operation is a bold step toward reducing the supply of cannabis sativa in Ekiti State and across the country,” Aina said. “It’s a strong message to those who have turned our forests into breeding grounds for illicit drug cultivation.”
He added that the Igbara Odo operation was followed by a second phase in Ilawe Ekiti, which led to the seizure of 84 bags of dried cannabis weighing 2,316 kilograms. Three suspects were arrested during the four-day operation, with support from about 40 hired labourers who helped clear the farmlands.
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NDLEA arrests three suspects, destroys 125,750kg of cannabis in Ekiti
The NDLEA Commander reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining the momentum of its anti-drug efforts and warned those involved in cannabis cultivation to desist or face prosecution.
In a related operation, the NDLEA in Edo State recently destroyed over 18,000 kilograms of cannabis in Ugbogui Forest, Ovia South West Local Government Area. Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the illegal plantations posed a major threat to food security, as farmland meant for food crops was being converted to grow cannabis.
He stressed that if such lands were used for cultivating food and cash crops instead, Nigeria’s food shortage challenges could be significantly reduced.
