A 42-year-old father of six identified as Clement Akor, a suspected Indian hemp farmer, has begged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA to take his life before destroying his 10-hectare cannabis also known as Indian hemp plantation.
Akor, who hails from Enabo village in the Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, and his accomplice, David Ameh, were arrested by the Kogi State Command of the NDLEA.
The 42-year-old man claimed to have spent so much in the business and can’t afford to lose everything.
He said he learned the trade of Indian hemp from Owo, Ondo State.
Akor, who cried without stopping and attempted to stop the men of the agency, led by Alfred Adewumi, the commander, from destroying his farm in Oketepe, Okula community, about 10 kilometers from Ejule, said he preferred to be killed than watch the officers destroy what he has spent money and energy on in the last one year.
The man stated that he was not aware of the ban on the sale of Indian hemp, but insisted that it was a risky business.
Akor stated, “I am the owner of this farm. I learned it in Yorubaland. When I cultivated the produce last year, it was stolen. So, this year, I bought the seed from Yorubaland and planted it before I was caught.
“The Indian hemp business is by luck. On this farm, I can get many bags. I do sell one bag for N20,000, depending on the area where I am selling it. It can be more.
I spent N12,000 on the farm cultivation. It is better for you people to kill me than destroy this farm.”
Akor said “This is my business. I have spent a lot for this plant to grow up to this level. In the next two weeks, I am supposed 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 labored in time, money, and energy for.
He said, “I am looking for money because I did not go to school and I don’t want to engage in armed robbery or kidnapping, that is why I am into this business of Indian hemp cultivation and sale.”
The commander, however, calmed him down but insisted that the war against illicit drug use was on course in the state.
Addressing journalists shortly after the destruction of the farm, Adewumi lamented the increasing wave of illicit cultivation and use of cannabis Sativa also known as Indian hemp in the state.
He stated that the two suspects were arrested through intelligent gathering by officers of his command.
He added that the suspects would be charged as soon as the investigation was concluded into the case.
