Wanted Drug Kingpin Arrested 12 Years After Killing Three NDLEA Officers

Wanted Drug Kingpin Arrested 12 Years After Killing Three NDLEA Officers

On January 16, 2026, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) achieved a major breakthrough in their long-standing pursuit of justice.

A notorious drug kingpin, Lekan Jimoh, popularly known as Kanmo-Kanmo, was arrested in Owode town, Ogun State, twelve years after his alleged involvement in the brutal killing of three NDLEA officers.

Jimoh had been on the NDLEA’s wanted list since June 15, 2014, when he reportedly mobilised armed thugs to attack agency operatives attempting to arrest him at his enclave. The attack resulted in the deaths of three officers, including Rabiu Usman Kazaure, in what the NDLEA described as a “barbaric mob action.” Jimoh managed to escape that day, but his name remained etched on the agency’s fugitive list.

The recent arrest was the result of intelligence-led operations by NDLEA tactical teams. During the raid on his hideout, officers recovered 69 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis. This seizure underscores his continued involvement in drug trafficking despite years of evading capture.

Jimoh’s criminal history is marked by violence and lawlessness. In August 2023, NDLEA operatives raided his residence in Ado-Odo, Ogun State, recovering 1,922 kilograms of skunk stored in 139 sacks.

Although he escaped arrest at that time, the property was later forfeited to the Federal Government after court proceedings. His eventual capture closes a painful chapter for the agency, which had vowed to bring him to justice for the murder of its officers.

The NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, emphasized that the arrest demonstrates the agency’s commitment to ensuring that no fugitive remains beyond the reach of the law. He noted that Jimoh’s case is symbolic of the agency’s persistence in pursuing justice for fallen officers and dismantling drug trafficking networks.

The arrest of Jimoh coincided with a series of coordinated NDLEA operations across Nigeria. In Edo State, operatives raided Arokpa forest in Uzebba town, seizing 320 kilograms of skunk and cannabis seeds. In Abuja, a 44-year-old woman, Yinka Agboola, was arrested for allegedly selling illicit drugs online, with 2.2 kilograms of skunk and cannabis oil recovered from her residence. Other seizures included 118.1 kilograms of skunk in Lagos, 116 kilograms in Enugu, and large quantities of tramadol, codeine syrup, diazepam, and other substances intercepted along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway in Delta State.

In Oyo State, suspects were arrested with synthetic cannabis strains such as Colorado and Scottish Loud, while in Kwara State, NDLEA officers seized 387.40 kilograms of skunk. Jigawa State also witnessed arrests, including that of an ex-convict, Gaddafi Ammani, who attempted to escape and injured an officer during the operation.

NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the agency’s officers across multiple states for their resilience and dedication. He described Jimoh’s arrest as a “triumph of justice” and a reminder that fugitives cannot escape accountability indefinitely. His words carried a powerful message: “You may run, and you may hide for a season, but the long arm of the law will eventually find you.”

The capture of Lekan Jimoh is not only a victory for the NDLEA but also a significant moment in Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking. It demonstrates the agency’s renewed vigor in dismantling criminal networks, bringing fugitives to justice, and honoring the memory of officers who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.

This arrest marks a turning point in the NDLEA’s war against drugs, closing a twelve-year pursuit and reaffirming the principle that justice, though delayed, is never denied.