Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ekiti State Command have seized about 500 kilogrammes of weeds suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, known as Indian hemp.
The command disclosed that it has uncovered over ten hectares of the cannabis plantation along Ilawe/Ikere and Igbara-Odo axis of the state, spread to neighbouring town.
Briefing journalists at the office of the command located along Ikere-Ekiti road, Ado-Ekiti , the state Commandant NSCDC, Mr Oluwaseun Sosina, said one suspect named David Akpan was arrested during a routine patrol exercise to the area.
He said the operation was carried out by the operatives of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) attached to the Ekiti NSCDC command.
Sosina explained that investigation is ongoing as efforts are being intensified by the operatives to apprehend fleeing suspects with a clear assurance that the command will not rest on its oars to ensure that drug-propelled criminal activities are suppressed in the state.
According to the Commandant, officials of CTU had located the plantation when combing the forest after the unit discovered that processed cannabis sativa from the axis always flow through Ikere axis to the state capital.
He said:”You will recall that the operatives of the CTU had been stationed along Ikere /Ado Ekiti axis to checkmate criminals and miscreants from moving into the state capital. This effort led to the revelation and the eventual discoveries of the plantation and the arrest of a suspect.
“The suspect, who is currently detained at the office of the organization, is still assisting the command to unravel the whereabouts of other suspects.”
Sosina assured that the command will hand over the suspect to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.
He, therefore, urged farm owners to be careful of those that are using their heritage for illegal activities, warning that the command will not spare landowners who are found culpable when investigating illegal usage of land resources.
He noted that the command’s Agro Ranger Unit has been deployed to the area for proper monitoring and surveillance.