The Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA) have arrested a long-wanted drug lord, Lekan Jimoh, popularly generally known as “Kanmo-kanmo”.
The event was disclosed in an announcement issued by the Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi.
The arrest ends a 12-year manhunt linked to the killing of three NDLEA officers.
In accordance with the company, Jimoh is infamous for drug trafficking, repeated evasion of arrest, and mobilising armed thugs towards safety brokers.
NDLEA mentioned the operation that led to his arrest was rigorously executed, marking what it described as a serious breakthrough in its long-standing pursuit of the fugitive.
The company mentioned the tactical operation led to his arrest and the restoration of 69 kilograms of skunk, a pressure of hashish, present in his possession.
“Through the medical operation, the suspect was present in possession of 69 kilograms of skunk, a pressure of hashish. The arrest marks a major breakthrough within the Company’s dedication to making sure that no fugitive, no matter how lengthy they evade justice, stays past the attain of the legislation,” the company said
Commenting on the event, the Chairman and Chief Govt Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) described the arrest of Kanmo-kanmo as a triumph of justice and a testomony to the Company.
“You could run, and chances are you’ll cover for a season, however the lengthy arm of the legislation will finally discover you.
“The arrest of Lekan Jimoh is especially important as a result of it closes a painful chapter that started on June 15, 2014,” he mentioned.
Jimoh’s prison file features a earlier operation through which operatives tried to arrest him at his enclave.
Throughout that operation, he allegedly orchestrated a mob assault that led to the killing of three NDLEA officers, together with Rabiu Usman Kazaure and two others. Whereas Jimoh escaped on the time, the company mentioned it remained resolute in pursuing justice for the slain officers.
In one other operation on 12 August 2023, NDLEA operatives stormed his residence in Ado-Odo city, Ogun State. Though he escaped once more, officers recovered 139 sacks of skunk weighing 1,922 kilograms.
Following asset forfeiture proceedings, the property used as a drug warehouse was later forfeited to the Federal Authorities.
Past Ogun State, NDLEA reported a collection of coordinated arrests and seizures throughout a number of states. In Edo State, operatives raided the Arokpa forest in Uzebba city, Owan West LGA, arresting Isihor Edika, 53, and seizing 320kg of skunk and seeds.
Alongside the Onitsha–Asaba expressway in Delta State, two suspects had been arrested whereas conveying giant portions of tramadol, codeine syrup, diazepam, swinol, and Molly.
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives arrested a number of suspects in Ibadan with varied portions of hashish variants and artificial medication, whereas one other raid led to the restoration of tens of hundreds of tramadol and bromazepam tablets from a retailer whose proprietor is at present at giant.
Additional seizures had been recorded in Kwara State, the place 42 luggage of skunk weighing 387.40kg had been recovered, and on the Apapa port in Lagos, the place 157,519 bottles of codeine syrup had been found throughout a joint examination with Customs and different safety businesses.
The company has, lately, sustained crackdowns on high-profile drug lords and cartel leaders throughout Nigeria
In September 2025, the company additionally dismantled a world drug cartel, arresting three leaders in Lagos after intercepting a big cocaine consignment hid in export cargo.
