Terrorists, kidnappers now operate from cannabis-growing communities — Marwa

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Maj.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has warned that terrorists and kidnappers are increasingly taking refuge in cannabis-growing communities across the country.

Marwa made the disclosure on Monday in Akure during a courtesy visit to Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, ahead of the launch of the NDLEA’s Alternative Development Project campaign aimed at engaging illicit drug growers in the state.

He explained that the agency established the Alternative Development Project unit to discourage peasant farmers from cultivating illicit drugs, particularly cannabis sativa, while providing them with lawful and sustainable alternatives.

According to Marwa, the initiative complements the NDLEA’s enforcement operations and also serves as a strategy to combat terrorism and kidnapping, as criminals now gravitate towards areas where illicit drugs are produced.

He noted that drug use prevalence in Nigeria remains alarmingly high, citing the 2018 United Nations drug use survey, which estimates that about 15 million Nigerians aged between 15 and 64 use drugs—equivalent to one in every seven people within that age group. He added that the Alternative Development Project campaign would commence in Ondo State.

The NDLEA boss revealed that the agency had secured convictions against 128 drug barons over the past five years and seized about 15,000 tonnes of illicit drugs within the same period, with more than 75 per cent being cannabis sativa. He added that between 70 and 75 per cent of drug users in Nigeria consume cannabis.

“The Boko Haram, the terrorists, and the kidnappers—our intelligence has shown that kidnappers now live among cannabis-cultivating communities deep in the forests. It makes sense for them to establish bases where drugs are readily available,” Marwa said.

Providing state-specific data, he disclosed that drug use prevalence in Ondo State stands at 17 per cent, representing about 400,000 people. In 2025 alone, NDLEA operatives in the state made 336 arrests, seized 22,316 kilogrammes of illicit substances, secured 62 convictions, and destroyed 207,000 kilogrammes of cannabis from farms and plantations.

Marwa added that Ondo State is the largest producer of cannabis in Nigeria, attributing this to favourable climate and soil conditions. He noted that the NDLEA’s counselling and rehabilitation centre in the state has treated 243 people so far.

While commending Governor Aiyedatiwa for his support in the fight against illicit drugs, Marwa said the agency was reviewing its law-enforcement strategy to adopt more alternative approaches rather than relying solely on raids and arrests.

In his response, Governor Aiyedatiwa praised Marwa for championing the initiative and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the NDLEA’s efforts.

“We will support you in every way possible to ensure success. We will also explore the possibility of establishing our own alternative development programme in line with this initiative,” the governor said.