The Osun State Police Command has destroyed a large expanse of Indian hemp farms at Agbongbon village in Irewole local government area of the state.
The police also arrested four suspects in connection with Indian hemp cultivation in the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Fimihan Adeoye, said the operation was aimed at cutting the supply of Indian hemp within the state to prevent youths from smoking weed and also curtail crime in the grassroots.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police in the state, Aminu Koji, led the operation in which the Indian hemp planted in the farms was destroyed with herbicides, while the dried one that was ready for the market was burnt.
According to the police boss, “We have declared a total war against Indian hemp cultivation and supply in Osun State. This is necessary to prevent youths from getting the weeds to smoke and this strategy was designed to nip the crime in the bud.”
The CP said four suspects, including Osasa Ansah, Saliu Koku, Musliu Ibrahim and Salimu Koku, were arrested in connection with the farms and that they would face the full wrath of the law to serve as deterrent to others.
He said, “Most criminals get energised when they take cannabis and that is why we are trying to cut the supply of India hemp to Osun and other neighbouring states so that they won’t get Indian hemp to smoke. This would surely reduce the crime rate and our youths would be normal and behave well.
“Those planting the Indian hemps are trying to make money at the expense of other people and destroying the lives of many youths. They are also affecting the economy negatively because they don’t allow the economic trees to stay in the areas where the weeds are planted.”
The CP commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for assisting the police in the state in their fight against crime and providing security for the people of the state.
