Activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticized the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following its public destruction of a massive haul of seized illicit drugs, including cannabis sativa.
The NDLEA announced that it had destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of illicit substances, valued at an estimated ₦301.058 billion, in Lagos. The operation, which took place in Navy Town, Ojo, followed a destruction order from the Federal High Court. The incinerated items included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, Canadian Loud, skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, and codeine syrup.
Reacting to the development on his social media page, Sowore strongly condemned the action. He argued that burning cannabis is a waste of a potentially lucrative economic opportunity for Nigeria.
Calling the agency’s leadership “f00lish people”, Sowore wrote;
‘’It is idiotic NDLEA to wake up, put on uniforms, march into farms, and set economically viable crops worth millions of dollars ablaze while your country is drowning in multidimensional poverty.
Stop destroying cannabis farms. Stop wasting enormous economic opportunities in the name of a failed and outdated policy.
Legalize and properly regulate cannabis. Invest in research, harness its legitimate medicinal and industrial potential, create jobs, generate revenue, and build an industry Nigerians can benefit from.
History
You cannot burn your way out of poverty, foolish people!”
