The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has urged communities in the Benin Kingdom to abandon cannabis cultivation and trading as part of efforts to curb drug abuse and trafficking.

NDLEA chairman, Buba Marwa, made the appeal at a meeting with the Oba of Benin, where he sought the monarch’s support for the agency’s Alternative Development Programme.

Mr Marwa said the programme was designed to encourage cannabis farmers to cultivate legal crops such as cassava, yam and maize instead of illicit substances.

He explained that the initiative equips farmers with agricultural inputs and community infrastructure, including roads, schools, clinics and water supply, in collaboration with the federal and state governments and the NDLEA.

According to him, Nigeria is the first African country to adopt alternative development as a key component of drug control, an approach supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and endorsed by the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The growers themselves have confided in us that they are grateful for this initiative. Even though there is more money in cannabis, they will at least have peace of mind when they cultivate licit crops,” he said.

Mr Marwa appealed for a collective approach involving traditional institutions, religious organisations, civil society groups, government and the media to tackle drug abuse and trafficking.

He commended the Oba for supporting the fight against drug abuse, kidnapping and human trafficking, adding that the monarch’s intervention had helped reduce human trafficking in the kingdom.

The Oba, in his response, expressed appreciation to the NDLEA chairman for recognising the kingdom’s contributions to the fight against drug abuse.

The monarch further stated that he had a proposal to enhance the agency’s operations, which he would communicate privately to Mr Marwa.

As part of the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse advocacy in Edo, Mr Marwa held a meeting with leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), led by its state chairman, Saturday Oamen.

He urged the transport union to use its platforms to raise awareness among members about the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking and assist in keeping roads, motor parks and communities free of illicit drugs.