NDLEA arrests Lekan Jimoh after 12 years
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a long-wanted drug kingpin, Lekan Jimoh, also known as “Kanmo-Kanmo,” 12 years after his alleged involvement in the killing of three NDLEA officers.
Jimoh was arrested on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Owode town, Ogun State, following intelligence-led operations by tactical teams of the agency.
A search of his hideout led to the recovery of 69 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis.
Suspect linked to 2014 killing of officers
The NDLEA said Jimoh has been on its wanted list since June 15, 2014, when he allegedly mobilised armed thugs to attack officers who attempted to arrest him at his enclave in Ogun State.
The attack resulted in the killing of three NDLEA officers, including Rabiu Usman Kazaure and two others. Jimoh escaped at the time and remained at large for over a decade.
“The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the agency’s commitment to ensuring that no fugitive, regardless of how long they evade justice, remains beyond the reach of the law,” NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday.
Previous raid on drug warehouse
In a related operation on August 12, 2023, NDLEA operatives raided Jimoh’s residence in Ado-Odo, Ogun State, where 139 sacks of skunk weighing 1,922 kilograms were recovered.
The suspect again evaded arrest at the time. The property, which was used as a drug warehouse, was later forfeited to the Federal Government following court proceedings.
Nationwide raids across states
The NDLEA said the arrest of Jimoh came as part of broader nationwide operations targeting drug trafficking networks.
In Edo State, operatives on Tuesday, January 13, raided Arokpa forest in Uzebba town, Owan West Local Government Area, arresting a 53-year-old suspect, Isihor Edika, and seizing 320 kilograms of skunk and cannabis seeds.
In the Federal Capital Territory, a 44-year-old woman, Yinka Agboola, was arrested at Kaura District over the alleged online sale of illicit drugs. Items recovered from her residence included 2.2 kilograms of skunk and quantities of cannabis oil.
Another suspect, Tordue Pius Richard, 30, was arrested on January 13 at his residence in Abacha Estate, Abuja, with 148.3 grams of cocaine and skunk.
Seizures in Lagos, Enugu, Delta, Oyo
In Lagos State, NDLEA officers seized 118.1 kilograms of skunk from Dauda Kareem and Saheed Obisesan at Fadeyi, Mushin, on Friday, January 16.
On the same day, 116 kilograms of skunk were recovered from a warehouse at the New Market area of Enugu, Enugu State.
Along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway in Delta State, two suspects, Zaharadeen Yahaya, 25, and Sanusi Maman, 23, were arrested on Thursday, January 15, while transporting large quantities of tramadol, codeine syrup, diazepam, swinol and Molly.
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives arrested multiple suspects and seized cannabis derivatives, including skuchies and Colorado, as well as tramadol and bromazepam pills from different locations in Ibadan.
Operations in Kwara, Jigawa
In Kwara State, officers on January 13 raided a residence in the Gamo area of Ilorin, where 42 bags of skunk weighing 387.40 kilograms were seized.
In Jigawa State, an ex-convict, Gaddafi Ammani, 26, and his accomplice, Ahmed Sani, 32, were arrested on January 17 at Nassarawa GRA, Ringim Local Government Area, with quantities of skunk and exol-5 pills. Ammani reportedly attempted to escape during the operation and injured an officer.
NDLEA chairman reacts
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations across several states.
He described the arrest of Kanmo-Kanmo as a triumph of justice and a clear message to fugitives.
“You may run, and you may hide for a season, but the long arm of the law will eventually find you,” Marwa said, adding that the arrest closes a painful chapter that began with the killing of three officers in 2014.
