By Chimdiogo Amuh 

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a long-wanted drug kingpin, Lekan Jimoh, popularly known as Kanmo-Kanmo, more than a decade after his alleged involvement in the killing of three NDLEA officers.

Jimoh was apprehended on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Owode town, Ogun State, following intelligence-led operations by the agency’s tactical teams. A search of his hideout led to the recovery of 69 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis.

In a statement issued on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said Jimoh 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 in Ogun State.

Babafemi said the 2014 attack resulted in the killing of three NDLEA officers, including Rabiu Usman Kazaure. While Jimoh escaped at the time, the agency remained committed to bringing him to justice.

“The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the agency’s resolve to ensure that no fugitive, regardless of how long they evade arrest, remains beyond the reach of the law,” the statement said.

The NDLEA recalled that in August 2023, operatives raided Jimoh’s residence in Ado-Odo, Ogun State, where 139 sacks of skunk weighing 1,922 kilograms were recovered. The suspect escaped again, while the property used as a drug warehouse was later forfeited to the Federal Government following court proceedings.

In other nationwide operations, NDLEA operatives arrested several suspects and made large seizures of illicit drugs across multiple states. In Edo State, a 53-year-old man, Isihor Edika, was arrested at Arokpa forest in Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area, with 320 kilograms of skunk and cannabis seeds.

In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, 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, was also arrested in Abuja with cocaine and skunk.

In Lagos, NDLEA officers seized 118.1 kilograms of skunk at Fadeyi, Mushin, while 116 kilograms were recovered from a warehouse at New Market area of Enugu, Enugu State.

Along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway in Delta State, two suspects were arrested with large consignments of tramadol, codeine syrup, diazepam, swinol and Molly. In Oyo State, multiple suspects were apprehended with skuchies, Colorado and other cannabis variants, as well as thousands of tramadol and bromazepam pills.

Further seizures were recorded in Kwara State, where 42 bags of skunk weighing 387.4 kilograms were recovered in Ilorin, and in Jigawa State, where two suspects were arrested with skunk and exol-5 pills. One of the suspects reportedly attempted to escape and injured an NDLEA officer.

Commending the officers involved, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), described Jimoh’s arrest as a triumph of justice and a clear message to drug barons and fugitives.

“You may run and hide for a season, but the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with you,” Marwa said, adding that the arrest closes a painful chapter that began with the killing of the agency’s officers in 2014.

The NDLEA said it will continue to intensify nationwide operations to dismantle drug trafficking networks, apprehend fugitives and disrupt the production and distribution of illicit drugs across the country.