Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a long-wanted drug kingpin, Lekan Jimoh, popularly known as “Kanmo-Kanmo,” bringing to an end a 12-year manhunt linked to the gruesome murder of three NDLEA officers.
Jimoh was arrested on Friday, January 16, 2026, at his hideout in Owode town, Ogun State, following credible intelligence and a coordinated tactical operation by NDLEA operatives. A total of 69 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, was recovered from him during the arrest.
A statement by the Director Media and Advocacy of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the suspect had been on the Agency’s wanted list since June 15, 2014, when he allegedly mobilised armed thugs to attack NDLEA officers who attempted to arrest him at his enclave. The violent mob action led to the brutal killing of three officers, including Rabiu Usman Kazaure. While Jimoh escaped at the time, the NDLEA vowed to pursue him until justice was served.
In another encounter on August 12, 2023, NDLEA operatives raided Jimoh’s residence in Ado-Odo, Ogun State. Although he again evaded arrest, officers recovered 139 sacks of skunk weighing 1,922 kilograms. The property, which served as a warehouse for his illicit drug trade, was later forfeited to the Federal Government following court proceedings.
The arrest of Kanmo-Kanmo underscores the Agency’s resolve to ensure that fugitives do not escape justice, regardless of how long they remain on the run.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives across several states recorded multiple arrests and seizures in coordinated nationwide operations.
In Edo State, operatives raided the Arokpa Forest in Uzebba town, Owan West LGA, arresting Isihor Edika (53) and recovering 320kg of skunk and cannabis seeds.
In the Federal Capital Territory, a 44-year-old woman, Yinka Agboola, was arrested in Kaura District for selling illicit drugs online. Recovered from her home were 2.2kg of skunk and litres of cannabis oil. Another suspect, Tordue Pius Richard (30), was arrested at Abacha Estate with 148.3 grams of cocaine and skunk.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives seized 118.1kg of skunk from Dauda Kareem and Saheed Obisesan in Mushin, while 116kg of skunk was recovered from a warehouse at New Market, Enugu State.
Along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway in Delta State, NDLEA operatives arrested Zaharadeen Yahaya (25) and Sanusi Maman (23) with 410,800 tramadol pills, 84.2 litres of codeine syrup, 82,250 diazepam tablets, 900 swinol tablets, and 65 pills of Molly.
In Oyo State, Adetunji Ahmed Abayomi (33) was arrested in Moniya, Ibadan, with 321 litres of skuchies and 2.5kg of Colorado, while Rasheed Ajao (28) was arrested in Odo-Ona with drugs weighing 9.696kg. At Agbeni area, 52,430 pills of tramadol and bromazepam were recovered, though the suspect remains at large.
In Kwara State, operatives seized 42 bags of skunk weighing 387.40kg in Ilorin. At Apapa Port, Lagos, NDLEA and Customs intercepted a container containing 157,519 bottles of codeine syrup.
In Jigawa State, ex-convict Gaddafi Ammani (26) and his accomplice Ahmed Sani (32) were arrested with quantities of skunk and Exol-5 pills. Ammani reportedly attempted to escape by climbing rooftops and injured an NDLEA officer while armed with a machete.
NDLEA officers also sustained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaigns nationwide.
Commending the officers, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the arrest as “a triumph of justice and a testament to the Agency’s long memory.”
“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 honours the memory of the fallen officers and brings long-awaited justice to their families.
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