The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has introduced a new strategy named “Alternative Development”, to its efforts in fight against drugs.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), who disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare, on Tuesday in Benin City .
He said the new strategy is aimed at persuading communities that grow cannabis to switch to legal crops such as cassava, yam, corn, and other legitimate crops.
Marwa disclosed that cannabis remains Nigeria’s biggest drug problem, adding that in the last six years, the NDLEA has seized 16 million kilograms of illicit substances nationwide, and that 75 percent of it was cannabis cultivated in Nigeria.
Marwa disclosed that Edo State is among the cultivating states.
“We have introduced alternative development as a strategic pillar in which we are appealing and persuading the growers of cannabis to desist from illicit cropping and Marwa said.
Marwa observed that although cannabis pays more, many farmers have welcomed the idea of embarking on planting legitimate crops because it gives them peace of mind.
“Even though there is more money in cannabis than these licit crops, at least they will have peace of mind when they cultivate. The other one gives them money but they are perpetually ill at ease in their homes with their families for fear of NDLEA. If a cockroach moves or rats in their house, they all jump out and start looking for a way to escape,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria is the first country in Africa to adopt the approach. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has welcomed it, and the Federal Government has adopted it under the Renewed Hope Agenda to move illicit croppers into legitimate businesses.
Under the programme, the Federal Government, NDLEA and state governments will support participating communities with farm inputs and basic amenities — roads, schools, clinics and water — to make legal farming sustainable.
Marwa further informed that the pilot has already started in three communities in Ondo State, with the governor personally at the launch.
“We feel that the second state that we should try this alternative development is Edo State. I’ve presented it early this morning to His Excellency the Governor and he welcomed it. Anything legitimate that can control drug use and trafficking is something to be welcomed,” Marwa said.
Marwa also sought the Oba’s intervention, recalling how the monarch’s curse against human trafficking helped reduce the menace in the Kingdom. He urged the Oba to extend the same moral authority to drug trafficking, kidnapping and other vices.
“From here we seek your royal blessings and support throughout this Kingdom for the communities to stay away from drug trafficking and drug trading,” he said.
“We seek your Royal Majesty’s blessing on this alternative development. Once again we are very grateful to have been given this audience on this special day,” he added.
Responding, Oba Ewuare II commended Marwa for his fight against drug abuse and stressed the importance of collective efforts in tackling societal challenges.
The monarch said he would forward a private suggestion to Marwa on how to improve the Agency’s work.
“I have a suggestion I will make in writing that I will not want to say here in public to NDLEA, as my own thinking on how to improve the work of NDLEA,” the Oba said.
Meanwhile, Governor Monday Okpebholo has blamed drug abuse for fuelling cultism, kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State.
The governor spoke on Wednesday at Government House, Benin City, when he received the NDLEA delegation led by Marwa.
He said the war against drug trafficking and substance abuse cannot be won by government alone, and called on security agencies and the public to join the fight.
“Drugs are totally our enemies, and we have to fight them,” the governor declared.
