Activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticized the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over its recent destruction of a large quantity of seized illicit drugs, including c@nnabis sativa.

The NDLEA announced that it had destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of illicit substances valued at approximately ₦301.058 billion in Lagos. The exercise was carried out in Navy Town, Ojo, following a destruction order issued by the Federal High Court.

The substances destroyed reportedly included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, Canadian Loud, skunk, ephedrine, tramadol and codeine syrup.

Reacting to the development on social media, Sowore condemned the decision, arguing that destroying c@nnabis represents a lost economic opportunity for Nigeria.

He questioned the continued criminalization of c@nnabis and called for the government to consider legalizing and properly regulating the plant for medicinal and industrial purposes.

According to Sowore, Nigeria could benefit from c@nnabis through research, job creation, revenue generation and the development of a regulated industry.

He also criticized the leadership of the NDLEA, arguing that destroying c@nnabis while the country faces widespread poverty is counterproductive.

“Stop destroying c@nnabis farms. Stop wasting enormous economic opportunities in the name of a failed and outdated policy,” Sowore stated.

He further argued that Nigeria cannot solve its poverty challenges by destroying potentially valuable agricultural resources, urging the government to reconsider its approach to c@nnabis regulation.