Most Nigerian farmers now abandon growing food and economic crops for cannabis in a bid to become instant millionaires, the country's anti-narcotics agency says.
In a statement on Saturday, Ahmadu Giade, the chairman of the Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said: "It is sad and disturbing that most farmers are now abandoning food and economic crops for cannabis."
Last year, the NDLEA arrested 8052 suspected drug traffickers, including 542 women.
More than 1400 hectares of land was used last year for cannabis plantation, the NDLEA boss.
"This 1404.27 hectares of land could have changed the fortunes of our agricultural sector if properly utilised," he stated.
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The agency seized drugs worth 33 billion naira ($A230 million) last year and prosecuted 1720 suspects, it stated.
Among the drugs seized were cannabis, heroin, cocaine, ephedrine, methamphetamine and amphetamine, the NDLEA said.
"We shall continue to dislodge more drug trafficking syndicates because anytime we intercept drug from criminals, we are indirectly saving lives," Giade said.
Some of the seized drugs - hidden in ear rings, buttons, necklaces, bangles and female belts - came into Lagos from Brazil and Pakistan, he alleged.
