Rachel Umebuali, the NDLEA Commander in Cross River State, disclosed this during an interview in Calabar. She emphasized that Indian officials expressed discomfort with the term "Indian Hemp," as it connotes negativity and undesirably links India to cannabis-related issues. Consequently, the NDLEA is advocating for the use of alternative terms such as "Cannabis Sativa," "marijuana," or local street names like "Igbo" and "we-we" to describe the substance.
The term "Indian Hemp" has historical roots in Nigeria, dating back to colonial times and formalized by the Indian Hemp Act of 1966, which criminalized the cultivation and distribution of cannabis. However, with evolving international relations and cultural sensitivities, there is a growing consensus on the need to adopt more neutral terminology.
This request from Indian authorities coincides with intensified efforts by the NDLEA to combat drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria. In Cross River State alone, the agency has destroyed over 100 hectares of cannabis farms and arrested 208 individuals involved in drug-related offenses within a six-month period. Umebuali highlighted that many of these illicit activities are orchestrated by non-indigenous individuals collaborating with local landowners.
The NDLEA's commitment to eradicating drug abuse is evident in its recent operations across various states. For instance, the agency intercepted 14.5 tons of "Ghanaian Loud," a potent strain of cannabis, smuggled into Lagos from Ghana . Additionally, the Nigeria Customs Service handed over 1,400 kilograms of intercepted cannabis to the NDLEA in Ondo State.
The shift towards culturally sensitive terminology and the intensified crackdown on cannabis cultivation and trafficking underscore Nigeria's dedication to addressing drug-related challenges while respecting international perspectives.
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