The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a notorious drug kingpin, Lekan Jimoh, also known as “Kanmo-Kanmo,” 12 years after he allegedly orchestrated the killing of three NDLEA officers.
Jimoh was arrested on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Owode town, Ogun State, following intelligence-led operations conducted by the agency’s tactical teams. A search of his hideout led to the recovery of 69 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, Jimoh had been on the agency’s wanted list since June 15, 2014, after he reportedly mobilised armed thugs to attack officers attempting to apprehend him, resulting in the deaths of three operatives, including Rabiu Usman Kazaure.
“Lekan Jimoh’s criminal record is defined by extreme violence and lawlessness,” Babafemi said. “Despite escaping arrest in 2014, the agency remained relentless in its pursuit of justice for the fallen officers. His arrest is a major breakthrough and sends a clear message that no fugitive can evade the law indefinitely.”
This capture follows a string of coordinated NDLEA operations across Nigeria. In August 2023, officers raided Jimoh’s Ado-Odo residence in Ogun State, seizing 1,922 kilograms of skunk from 139 sacks, although he managed to escape. The warehouse was later forfeited to the Federal Government.
Other operations this month included:
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Edo State (January 13): Arrest of 53-year-old Isihor Edika in Arokpa forest, Uzebba, with 320 kilograms of skunk and cannabis seeds.
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Abuja (January 13 & 16): Arrest of 44-year-old Yinka Agboola for online drug sales, recovering 2.2 kilograms of skunk and cannabis oil; and 30-year-old Tordue Pius Richard with 148.3 grams of cocaine and skunk.
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Lagos (January 16): Seizure of 118.1 kilograms of skunk from Dauda Kareem and Saheed Obisesan in Fadeyi, Mushin.
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Enugu (January 16): 116 kilograms of skunk recovered from a warehouse in New Market.
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Delta State (January 15): Arrest of two suspects transporting 410,800 tramadol pills, 84.2 litres of codeine syrup, 82,250 diazepam tablets, 900 swinol tablets, and 65 Molly pills along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway.
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Oyo State (January 15–17): Seizures of skunk, synthetic cannabis strains, and over 52,000 tramadol and bromazepam pills from multiple suspects.
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Kwara State (January 13): Confiscation of 42 bags of skunk weighing 387.4 kilograms in Ilorin.
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Jigawa State (January 17): Arrest of ex-convict Gaddafi Ammani, 26, and Ahmed Sani, 32, with skunk and exol-5 pills; Ammani attempted to escape and injured an officer.
NDLEA Chairman and CEO Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) praised officers across Ogun, Lagos, Apapa, Edo, Delta, Oyo, FCT, Enugu, and Kwara states for the arrests and seizures. He described the capture of Kanmo-Kanmo as a landmark victory for justice and a clear warning to all drug traffickers and fugitives.
“The arrest of Lekan Jimoh closes a painful chapter dating back to June 15, 2014. For twelve years, he lived with the blood of our brave officers on his hands, mistakenly believing time had erased his crimes,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA has reiterated its commitment to intensifying nationwide operations against drug trafficking, disrupting illicit supply chains, and ensuring that long-wanted suspects face justice.
