The Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA) have arrested a long-wanted drug lord, Lekan Jimoh, popularly referred to as “Kanmo-kanmo”.
The event was disclosed in a press release 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 in opposition to safety brokers.
NDLEA stated the operation that led to his arrest was rigorously executed, marking what it described as a significant breakthrough in its long-standing pursuit of the fugitive.
The company stated the tactical operation led to his arrest and the restoration of 69 kilograms of skunk, a pressure of hashish, present in his possession.
“Throughout 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 regulation,” 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.
“Chances are you’ll run, and chances are you’ll disguise for a season, however the lengthy arm of the regulation 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 stated.
Jimoh’s felony document 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 stated 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 numerous portions of hashish variants and artificial medicine, whereas one other raid led to the restoration of tens of 1000’s of tramadol and bromazepam capsules 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 global drug cartel, arresting three leaders in Lagos after intercepting a big cocaine consignment hid in export cargo.