Wanted Drug Kingpin Arrested 12 Years After Killing 3 NDLEA Officers
Wanted Drug Kingpin Arrested 12 Years After Killing 3 NDLEA Officers
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a long-wanted drug kingpin, Lekan Jimoh (also known as “Kanmo-Kanmo”), 12 years after he allegedly orchestrated the murder of three agency officers.
Jimoh was apprehended on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Owode town, Ogun State, during an intelligence-led operation that uncovered 69 kilograms of “skunk” at his hideout.
The suspect had been on the agency’s wanted list since June 15, 2014, when he allegedly mobilized armed thugs to attack NDLEA officers attempting to arrest him. This brutal encounter resulted in the death of three officers, including Rabiu Usman Kazaure.
While Jimoh escaped that day, the NDLEA remained resolute in its pursuit, eventually tracking him down over a decade later.
Jimoh’s criminal history is marked by repeated attempts to evade justice through violence. In August 2023, the agency raided his residence in Ado-Odo, Ogun State, recovering nearly two tons of illicit drugs.
Although he managed to escape that specific raid, his property which functioned as a major drug warehouse was later forfeited to the Federal Government following court proceedings.
The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), described the arrest as a significant triumph for justice and a “clear message” to all drug barons that the law has a long memory. He noted that the arrest finally closes a painful chapter for the agency, ensuring that the suspect can no longer hide from his past crimes against law enforcement.
In addition to this high-profile arrest, the NDLEA reported several other successful operations across Nigeria, including raids in Abuja, Lagos, Edo, and Delta states.
These coordinated efforts led to the seizure of massive quantities of tramadol, codeine, and synthetic cannabis, highlighting the agency’s intensified nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks.
