"You Cannot Burn Your Way Out Of Poverty" — Sowore Criticises NDLEA Drug Destruction.

 

Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over its destruction of a large quantity of seized illicit drugs in Lagos.

The NDLEA had announced the destruction of 329,865.585 kilogrammes of illicit substances valued at approximately ₦301.058 billion.

The exercise was carried out at Navy Town, Ojo, following a destruction order issued by the Federal High Court.

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

Reacting to the development in a social media post, Sowore condemned the destruction of cannabis and argued that the plant could represent an economic opportunity for Nigeria if properly regulated and utilised for legitimate purposes.

Describing the NDLEA's approach as outdated, Sowore urged the government to consider legalising and regulating cannabis while investing in research and its potential medicinal and industrial applications.

“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,” he wrote.

Sowore further called for an end to the destruction of cannabis farms, arguing that the country could benefit economically from a regulated cannabis industry.

“Stop destroying cannabis farms. Stop wasting enormous economic opportunities in the name of a failed and outdated policy,” he stated.

He also advocated for investment in research and the development of legitimate cannabis-based industries, saying such a policy could create employment and generate revenue for the country.

“Legalise 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,” Sowore added.

“You cannot burn your way out of poverty, foolish people!”

The NDLEA has consistently maintained that the destruction of seized illicit drugs is part of its mandate to prevent the circulation and consumption of dangerous substances in the country.