Metro

NDLEA destroys 8 hectares of cannabis farms in Edo

Published

2 months ago

July 28, 2023

NDLEA destroys 8 hectares of cannabis farms in Edo

The Edo Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Friday destroyed eight hectares of cannabis sativa farms in the state.

The farms are located in Upokhoten forest, Uzzebba village in Owan West Local Government Area of the state.

Operatives of the command were led on a three-hour journey to the farms where the plantations were cut and set ablaze.

Briefing newsmen after the operation, Mr Ondotimi Bebetu, the command’s Assistant Commander in charge of Operations, said the destruction followed an intelligence-led surveillance, leading to an arrest of three suspects two weeks ago.

Bebetu, who is also the spokesperson for the command, said the two farms were equal to more than 17 tons of cannabis sativa and worth million of naira.

“This destruction is taking place via a follow up activities where some suspects have been arrested two weeks ago.

“There are two farms that has been destroyed here today. The first farm measured 6.28 hectares of space. When you convert to tons, it equals to 15.69 tons.

“The second farm in the same proximity measuring 0.68 hectares, is equal to 1.7 tons. When you sum up the two together, you arrive at 17.4 tons of cannabis destroyed right now.

“Unfortunately this land ought to have been used for cultivation of food crops

“We are using this opportunity to tell the public to give information on how and where to get to these farmlands.

“It is them, their youths and the families that are exposed to the health risk of the cannabis production which they consume every day,” he said.

The NDLEA boss noted that the arrested suspects would be handed over to the legal unit after discreet investigation into the matter is concluded.

The unit, he said, would advise whether to prosecute them or otherwise.

“The real owners are big time barons. We hardly can really get them. They bring these boys to the farm to establish the farms.

“Sometimes, they are abroad, but they just keep monitoring. Even if they mention their names, it is fake. Sometimes, we get them through our surveillance intelligence and bring them to book,” said the assistant commander.

Also speaking, Mr. James Olarewaju, Assistant Commander of Narcotics, Intelligence, said credible intelligence led to the action taken at the farm.

Olarewaju expressed dismay that Edo is a spotlight for cannabis plantations and it had become a year-round farming in the axis.

He said the command was determined to cut the supply chain of the substance through farm destruction as against burning wasting time looking for those selling.

One of the suspects arrested on the farm, Monday Nduul, from Benue, said he was a “job man” brought into the farm to help in weeding.

He said he had not fore knowledge that he was coming to a cannabis farm.

Headline

LASTMA, others combat Ilupeju industrial fire outbreak

Published

2 hours ago

September 23, 2023

Ifunaya Emeka

The operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other emergency responders at early hour on Saturday combated an industrial fire outbreak at Mega Plastics Company at No.4, Ilupeju Bypass.

Mr Taofiq Adebayo, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, made the disclosure in a statement in Lagos on Saturday.

Adebayo stated that the industrial fire outbreak took place at Mega Plastics Company at No.4, Ilupeju Bypass beside Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ilupeju area of Lagos.

“The Traffic Officer of LASTMA, Mr Ayo Olaosebikan (Falcon) of Zone 21, confirmed that LASTMA rescue team arrived at the scene of the industrial fire outbreak around at 6:30a.m. before other emergency responders were contacted by LASTMA.

“Immediately we arrived at the scene of the industrial fire, we quickly informed other emergency responders particularly the Lagos State Fire, Rescue Services and the Nigerian Police.

“The causes of industrial fire could not be immediately ascertained, he said.
Olaosebikan noted that preliminary investigation revealed that the storage and factory section of the petrochemical company were seriously affected by the fire outbreak.

According to him, emergency responders on ground include Federal and State Fire Services, policemen and LASTMA Response Unit.

Olaosebikan said that neither injury nor death had been recorded.

Headline

NGO takes free medical outreach to Plateau community

Published

2 hours ago

September 23, 2023

Ifunaya Emeka

GDG Wellness Initiative, an NGO, on Saturday offered free medical services to no fewer than 400 indigent persons in Gyel community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau.

Mr Gyang Dung-Gyang, founder of the initiative told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the exercise was his little way of giving back to the society that made him.

He said that he was spurred by the plight of the people and the urgent need to reach out to them, in view of the current economic realities and its implications on their health.

Dung-Gyang said that he had been organising such outreaches annually, adding that the current hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy had made this year’s outing unique.

“It’s my heart desire and passion to reach out to the vulnerable and the needy in the society.

“And it’s not just this, we have been able to give scholarship to some students, with some already graduates.

“Today, we have planned to treat a minimum of 400 persons but from the way it is going, it may exceed that number,” he stated.

The outreach Team Lead, Mr Pam Chong, listed some of the medical services to include testing and treatment of patients for aliments such as malaria, hepatitis B & C, high blood pressure, diabetes among others.

Chong, a pharmacist, told NAN that the medical team comprised of doctors, nurses, lab scientists and pharmacists.
He said cases that they were unable to handle would be referred to hospitals that could handle them.

The team lead said that they have sufficient drugs to treat over 400 patients.

Mr Ishaya Pam, Vice President, Gyel Development Association of Jos South LGA, lauded GDG Wellness for the gesture, which he believed would improve the health and wellbeing of the people.
Pam prayed God to bless the organisers of the outreach to continue to impact the lives of the less privileged.