(Lokoja)
A suspected owner of an Indian farm in kogi state set tongues wagging on Wednesday as he told officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, kogi state Command kill him but leave his farm in tact.
The Reporters, an online publication, gathered that the suspect, Clement Akor(42),a father of six and lives in Enabo village in Ankpa Local Government area of Kogi State was arrested by officials of the command on Tuesday along with one David Ameh.
Upon interrogation, the suspect told the officers of the command to take his life but spare his 10 hectares cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) farm because had invested huge financial resources on the farm.
“It is better you people kill me than destroy this farm land.This is my business, I spent a lot to allow this plant to grow up to this level.
“I don’t want to engage in armed robbery or kidnapping, that is why I am into this business of Indian hemp,” he solicited, he said.
The online gathered that the said farm is located in Oketepe in Okula community, about 10 kilometres from Ejule, Ofu Local Government of State.
The suspect, who said he was conscious of his alleged crime said he learnt the act in Yoruba land bute begged the Agency to tamper Justice with mercy and spare his farm from destruction.
Speaking with newsmen on the issue shortly after the destruction of the farm, Mr Alfred Adewumi,Commander of NDLEA in the state expressed concern on the increasing rate of consumption and cultivation of cannabis sativa in the state.
Adewumi disclosed that the two suspects were arrested through intelligence gathering by officers of the command.
He added that the latest breakthrough in the fight against illicit drugs in the state came three days after the command arrested Enduarance Samson and Abah Sunday for alleged possession of 36.2 kilogrammes of wraps suspected to be cannabis sativa( Indian hemp).
He said:“This is very unfortunate. I am worried about this unfortunate development. I have thought that Kogi State will not descend to this point.
“As things stand today, it will be direct self denial to begin to say that Kogi state is not planting cannabis sativa, because evidence suggests the fact that, there is high planting of cannabis sativa in Kogi State.
“Sadly, Kogi State is ranking high among Indian Hemp endemic states.
“We will not relent in fighting against illicit use of drug, that is why we took the fight to their door steps. Kogi State is the gateway to states in the north, south, east and western parts of this country.”
The commander promised the people of the state that the command would not “give room for anybody to turn Kogi State to a drug cultivation state.”
Adewumi said the command had spread out its tentacles, as far as possible, with intelligence gathering, adding the arrest of some suspects in recent time was consequent upon the resolve of the command to realise its ambition in the fight crime in the state.
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