A 42-year-old cannabis farmer in Kogi state, has told operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to kill him rather than destroy his illegal farm.
The NDLEA has been cracking down on cannabis farms across the country.
A suspect, Clement Akor who was nabbed alongside his accomplice David Ameh at Enabo village in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, told NDLEA operatives that he has invested so much in his 10-hectare cannabis plantation.
While admitting that he is aware of the law banning the sale of Cannabis Sativa, the suspect said;
“I am the owner of this farm. I learnt it in Yoruba land. When I cultivated one last year, it was stolen. So it is this year I bought seed from Yoruba land to plant new ones before I was caught.
“Indian hemp business is luck. In this farm, I can get many bags here. I do sell one bag for N20,000 depending on the area am selling it. It could be more. I spent N12,000 for labour in cultivating this farm. It better you people kill me than destroy this farmland.
“This is my business. I spent a lot to allow this plant to grow up to this level. In the next two weeks, I am supported to harvest it. Now you people have come here to destroy it. Just kill me, so that I won’t see you people destroying what I have laboured for. I am looking for money because I am illiterate. I don’t want to engage in armed robbery or kidnapping that is why I am into this business of Indian hemp”.
NDLEA commander, Alfred Adewumi confirmed the arrest of the suspects and also disclosed that they were nabbed through intelligence, revealing that Clement Akor and other suspects would be charged to court soon.
