NDLEA arrests notorious drug kingpin after 12 years on the run
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested Lekan Jimoh, also known as “Kanmo-Kanmo,” after years of evading capture. He was wanted for his alleged involvement in the killing of three NDLEA officers and has been on the agency’s wanted list since June 15, 2014. The arrest took place in Owode town, Ogun State, following a series of intelligence-led operations. NDLEA officials described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in their fight against drug trafficking and violence against law enforcement.
What happened
- Lekan Jimoh was arrested on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Owode town, Ogun State, with 69 kilograms of skunk recovered from his hideout.
- He had been on the NDLEA wanted list since June 15, 2014, when he allegedly orchestrated the killing of three NDLEA officers, including Rabiu Usman Kazaure.
- In a related operation on August 12, 2023, NDLEA raided his residence in Ado-Odo, Ogun State, recovering 1,922 kilograms of skunk, but he evaded arrest at that time.
- Multiple raids across Nigeria between January 13 and January 17 led to the arrest of other suspects and large seizures of drugs in Edo, Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Delta, Oyo, Kwara, and Jigawa states.
- NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) hailed the arrest of Kanmo-Kanmo as a triumph of justice and a warning to other fugitives.
