Kidnappers now live in cannabis-growing communities – Marwa

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Maj. Gen. Buba Marwa, said on Monday that terrorists and kidnappers now reside within cannabis-growing communities. Marwa disclosed this in Akure during a courtesy visit to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, ahead of the Alternative Development Project campaign targeted […]

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Maj. Gen. Buba Marwa, said on Monday that terrorists and kidnappers now reside within cannabis-growing communities.
Marwa disclosed this in Akure during a courtesy visit to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, ahead of the Alternative Development Project campaign targeted at engaging illicit drug growers in the state. He explained that the agency created the Alternative Development Project unit to discourage peasant farmers from cultivating illicit drugs, particularly cannabis sativa.
(NAN)
He noted that the program, which will not replace the agency’s enforcement role, serves as another strategy to combat terrorists and other criminals who now establish bases near drug production sites. According to him, drug use prevalence in Nigeria remains unacceptably high, with approximately 15 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 using drugs, based on the 2018 United Nations drug use survey.
Marwa stated that these figures imply that one in seven Nigerians in that age bracket uses drugs. Consequently, the Alternative Development Project campaign will commence in Ondo State.
The NDLEA chairman, who noted that the agency has convicted 128 drug barons in the last five years, disclosed that of the 15,000 tonnes of illicit substances seized during that period, over 75 percent was cannabis sativa. He added that 70 to 75 percent of drug users in Nigeria specifically consume cannabis.
“Through our intelligence sources, it has been shown that Boko Haram, terrorists, and kidnappers now live among cannabis-cultivating communities in deep forests,” Marwa said. “It makes sense to them; why not establish a base where the drugs are readily available?”
He continued, “In Ondo State, the drug use prevalence is 17 percent, which is approximately 400,000 people. In 2025, the NDLEA in Ondo State made 336 arrests, seized 22,316 kilograms of illicit substances, secured 62 convictions, and destroyed 207,000 kilograms of cannabis on plantations and farms.”
“We have a counseling and rehab center here where we have treated 243 people. But more significantly, Your Excellency, Ondo State is the highest producer of cannabis in Nigeria for several reasons, including the climate and the nature of the soil, which encourages this type of trade.”
In his remarks, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa applauded Marwa for leading the initiative. He praised the NDLEA boss for his commitment to ensuring society is rid of illicit drugs. (NAN)