Four nabbed for allegedly cultivating Indian hemp

Four persons, including a 57-year-old grandmother, have been arrested for allegedly cultivating Indian hemp at Ogorie village in Uhunmwode Local Government of Edo State.

They were nabbed after one of the workers, who was recently employed, was arrested by men of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The suspects are Joy Issele, 57, Amadin Eribo, 22, Lucky Osele, 42 and the village head, Peter Igbinudud.

Speaking during a parade at the NSCDC headquarters, the suspects said they were just workers, who earned N7,000 monthly.

Joy said it was her husband, Gowon, who gave them land to cultivate Indian hemp.

She said her man ran away when security operatives closed in on him, which led to her arrest.

Joy said her husband does not know what type of crop the farmers plant on the farm.

She said: “My husband ran away and they arrested me. I don’t sell Indian hemp. My husband does not sell it. He gave them the land for N5,000 per plot.”

The other suspects opposed her, saying her husband was the farm manager who helped to hire workers.

Amadin said he worked on the Indian hemp farm to enable him to raise money to settle his debts.

He said he was promised two bags of Indian hemp after one year of service.

Lucky claimed he was just a worker under Gowon and was paid N7,000 monthly for feeding.

He said he does not harvest crops.

Peter said he was arrested because he was the village head and did not stop Indian hemp farmers from carrying on with the trade.

NSCDC Commandant Iskil Makinde said his men would carry out more vigilance to keep the state safe.

He said the suspects would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for prosecution.