Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended long-sought drug kingpin Lekan Jimoh, popularly known as “Kanmo-Kanmo,” more than a decade after his alleged role in the killing of three NDLEA officers.
Jimoh was arrested on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Owode town, Ogun State, following intelligence-driven operations carried out by the agency’s tactical team.
During a search of his hideout, operatives recovered 69 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that the suspect has remained on the agency’s wanted list since June 15, 2014, when he allegedly mobilised armed thugs to attack officers attempting to arrest him at his enclave.
He said, “Following his involvement in the brutal killing of three NDLEA officers, Kanmo-Kanmo, who is notorious for drug trafficking, evading arrest and mobilising armed thugs against security agents, was on Friday, 16th January 2026 tracked to his hideout in Owode town, Ogun State by tactical teams of the agency following credible intelligence. During the clinical operation, the suspect was found in possession of 69 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis.
“The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the agency’s commitment to ensuring that no fugitive, regardless of how long they evade justice, remains beyond the reach of the law.
“Lekan Jimoh’s criminal history is marked by extreme violence and lawlessness… The attack resulted in the cold-blooded murder of three NDLEA officers, including Rabiu Usman Kazaure and two others, who were killed by armed thugs mobilised by Jimoh.”
Babafemi recalled that in August 2023, operatives raided Jimoh’s residence in Ado-Odo, Ogun State, where 139 sacks of skunk weighing 1,922 kilograms were seized, although he escaped arrest at the time. The property used as a drug warehouse was later forfeited to the Federal Government after court proceedings.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives in Edo State raided Arokpa forest in Uzebba town, Owan West Local Government Area, arresting 53-year-old Isihor Edika and confiscating 320 kilograms of skunk alongside cannabis seeds.
In Abuja, operatives arrested a 44-year-old woman, Yinka Agboola, in Kaura District over alleged online drug sales. Items recovered from her residence included 2.2 kilograms of skunk and quantities of cannabis oil.
“In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, operatives on Friday, 16th January, tracked and arrested a 44-year-old lady, Yinka Agboola… At the time of her arrest, 2.2kg of skunk and litres of cannabis oil… were recovered,” Babafemi added, noting that another suspect, Tordue Pius Richard, was also arrested with cocaine and skunk in Abacha Estate.
In Lagos, NDLEA officers seized 118.1 kilograms of skunk from Dauda Kareem and Saheed Obisesan in Fadeyi, Mushin, while 116 kilograms of the same substance were recovered from a warehouse in Enugu’s New Market area.
Along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway in Delta State, two suspects, Zaharadeen Yahaya and Sanusi Maman, were arrested while transporting large quantities of tramadol, codeine syrup, diazepam, swinol and Molly.
In Oyo State, multiple arrests led to the recovery of synthetic cannabis variants and thousands of illicit pills during raids in Ibadan, while 42 bags of skunk weighing 387.40 kilograms were seized in Kwara State.
In Jigawa State, ex-convict Gaddafi Ammani and his accomplice Ahmed Sani were arrested with skunk and exol-5 pills, although Ammani reportedly injured an officer during an escape attempt.
Commending the nationwide operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) praised officers involved across several states and urged them to sustain the momentum.
He described Jimoh’s arrest as a victory for justice and a clear warning to 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 Lekan Jimoh is particularly significant because it closes a painful chapter that began on June 15, 2014,” Marwa said.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks, bringing long-wanted suspects to justice, and disrupting illicit supply chains nationwide.