By Idowu Adebomi, Ado-Ekiti
Six individuals have been detained by a local vigilante group for cultivating cannabis, commonly known as Indian hemp, in a forest in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The arrests followed intelligence gathered through the community security network.
The suspects, all believed to be from various states across Nigeria, were apprehended on a cannabis plantation in the Ikere forest, located within the Ekiti South Local Government Area.
The arrested individuals were paraded before the traditional ruler of Ikere-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty Oba Samuel Adu Adeyemi Alagbado, the Ogoga of Ikere, on Monday, 7th April 2025.
The suspects admitted to having been living in the forest since February 2025, where they had been planting and nurturing the illicit crop.
Oba Samuel Adu explained that the palace acted on intelligence reports indicating that unfamiliar individuals were working on a suspicious plantation in the Ikere forests.
“After the unfortunate robbery incident, we set up our own internal security network. We waited until we were certain of what they were up to before moving in to arrest them,” Oba Adu said.
While commending the efforts of the local vigilante, the Ogoga expressed concern over the alleged involvement of some NDLEA officers in the illegal activities.
He claimed that certain NDLEA personnel had informed the chief mastermind behind the plantation, a man identified only as Henry, who reportedly resides in Akure, Ondo State.
“I find it painful that some officers of the NDLEA are compromised. We have provided intelligence on drug peddlers and traffickers in this community, only for the suspects to be tipped off. Most of the time, no arrests are made, and the suspects continue to operate freely as if they are above the law,” he lamented.
The traditional ruler also expressed his concern over the growing number of youths being negatively affected by drug abuse. He accused corrupt officers, who are supposed to arrest and prosecute offenders, of enabling the illicit trade.
Sunday Aina, the Commander of the Narcotics Squad in Ekiti, expressed gratitude for the commitment of the Ikere community in the fight against crime.
Aina assured the public that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) would continue to take action to reduce drug-related issues.
“The issue of drugs and other narcotics is a global problem, and unfortunately, it has now reached our doorstep. However, I assure Kabiyesi (Oba Adu) and the people of Ekiti that we will not relent in our efforts until the situation is under control,” Aina stated.
The Ikere Local Government Chairman, Adamolekun Olu Egbejoda, pledged that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and not swept under the carpet, as has happened in the past. He underscored the need for continued community policing in the state.
“We cannot continue to live with criminals who are making our environment unsafe. We will report this matter to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and continue to implement surveillance measures to remove criminal elements from our society. Ikere is a very welcoming community, and anyone wishing to live here should refrain from engaging in criminal activities,” Egbejoda said.
The six suspects—Oghene, 49, from Delta State; Sunday Fidelis, 21, from Benue State; Victor, 19; Emmanuel John; Ndeoma Akua, 20, all from Akwa Ibom State; and Moses Okey, 28, who arrived seeking the bail of his kinsmen—confessed to cultivating the cannabis after being recruited by a man named Ebenna and Henry.
The suspects revealed that they had been promised a monthly payment of 40,000 naira, with a total payout of 700,000 naira at the end of seven months.
After their confessions, the suspects were handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and potential prosecution.
