A 42-year old farmer identified as Clement Akor, has begged the officers of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, to take his life instead of destroying his cannibis plantation.
Akor the owner of 10-hectare cannabis plantation otherwise known as Indian hemp at Enabo village in the Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
He was arrested alongside his accomplice David Ameh, by the Kogi State Command of the NDLEA.
According to punch, the father of six claimed to have invested so much in the business and could not afford to lose everything, said he learnt dealing in Indian hemp from Owo, Ondo State.
The suspect, who cried profusely and attempted to stop the men of the NDLEA, led by the commander, Alfred Adewumi, from destroying his farm in Oketepe, Okula community, about 10 kilometres from Ejule, said he preferred to die than watch the officers destroy what he worked hard for in the last one year.
He noted that he was aware of the ban of selling imdian hemp but insisted to take up the risk.
“The Indian hemp business is by luck. In this farm, I can get many bags. I do sell one bag for N20,000, depending on the area where I am selling it to. It can be me more. I spent N12,000 on cultivating this farm. It is better for you people to kill me than destroy this farm,” he said.
“This is my business. I spent a lot to allow 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 laboured for. I am looking for money because I am illiterate. 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 NDLEA commander tried calming him down, but insisted that the state is currently in a way against illicit drugs.
