Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a significant breakthrough for Nigeria’s anti‑narcotics campaign, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested long‑wanted drug kingpin Lekan Jimoh, widely known by his alias “Kanmo‑Kanmo,” more than a decade after he allegedly orchestrated the cold‑blooded murder of three NDLEA officers during a violent confrontation in 2014. The arrest was confirmed over the weekend and marks the culmination of a prolonged manhunt that had become symbolic of the agency’s enduring resolve to capture fugitives who evade justice.
Jimoh was apprehended on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Owode town, Ogun State, following an intelligence‑led operation by tactical units of the NDLEA. Officials said he was found at his hideout in possession of 69 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, underscoring his continued involvement in drug trafficking and criminal activities.
The suspect’s criminal history dates back to June 15, 2014, when he allegedly mobilised armed thugs to ambush and kill three NDLEA officers — including Rabiu Usman Kazaure — who had attempted to arrest him at his enclave. The officers were reportedly overpowered by a mob of armed assailants acting on Jimoh’s orders, in what was described at the time as one of the most brazen attacks against anti‑narcotics operatives in Nigeria’s history. Jimoh subsequently evaded capture for 12 years, during which time he remained on the agency’s most‑wanted list.
In a statement, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi noted that the agency’s resolve never wavered despite Jimoh’s long period on the run. The arrest operation, he said, was based on credible intelligence and meticulous planning, reflecting a determination to bring to justice those responsible for the deaths of officers who sacrificed their lives enforcing Nigeria’s drug laws.
The arrest also underscores the NDLEA’s expanded operational capabilities in confronting entrenched criminal networks. In addition to his involvement in the 2014 attack, Jimoh has long been associated with violent resistance against law enforcement and extensive drug‑trafficking syndicates. Previous attempts by operators to apprehend him — including a 2023 raid on his residence in Ado‑Odo town where 1,922 kilograms of skunk were recovered — ended with his escape, further highlighting the significance of this latest capture.
Following Jimoh’s arrest, authorities emphasised that the seizure of a large quantity of illegal drugs at his hideout represents just one facet of the extensive criminal enterprise he allegedly led. The NDLEA has also pursued asset forfeiture proceedings in court, which recently resulted in the forfeiture of a house he used as a warehouse for drug storage to the Federal Government.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), hailed the arrest as a “triumph of justice” and a testament to the agency’s commitment to tracking fugitives regardless of how long they evade arrest. In paying tribute to the fallen officers, Marwa stressed that Jimoh’s arrest sends “a clear and unambiguous message to all drug barons and fugitives: you may run and you may hide for a season, but the long arm of the law will eventually find you.”
The arrest of Jimoh also comes amid a series of ongoing anti‑narcotics operations across the country. In January 2026 alone, NDLEA tactical teams have apprehended multiple suspects and seized substantial quantities of illicit drugs in various states, reinforcing the agency’s intensified national campaign against drug cartels and trafficking networks.
Political and security analysts have described Jimoh’s capture as an important morale booster for law enforcement personnel and a sobering warning to criminal elements entrenched in narcotics and violent resistance. The successful operation reflects a broader shift toward intelligence‑driven policing and inter‑agency cooperation that has yielded measurable results in recent years.
As legal proceedings begin, the NDLEA has pledged to pursue all applicable charges against Jimoh, ranging from drug trafficking and possession to conspiracy to commit murder. The agency has also reiterated its appeal to the public to continue supporting its initiatives by providing timely and credible intelligence that can further disrupt the activities of drug syndicates and their collaborators.
The arrest of Lekan “Kanmo‑Kanmo” Jimoh closes a painful chapter for the NDLEA and the families of the three officers who lost their lives, while signalling renewed momentum in Nigeria’s fight against drug‑related crime and violent resistance to law enforcement.
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