NDLEA nabs notorious drug kingpin ‘Kanmo-Kanmo’ 12yrs after officers’ killing

By Johnson Arua

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a long-wanted drug kingpin, Lekan Jimoh, popularly known as Kanmo-Kanmo, 12 years after he allegedly masterminded the killing of three NDLEA officers during a failed arrest operation.

Jimoh was apprehended on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Owode, Ogun State, following intelligence-led operations by NDLEA tactical teams. A search of his hideout led to the recovery of 69 kilogrammes of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis.

In a statement on Sunday, NDLEA spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, said Jimoh had been on the agency’s wanted list since June 15, 2014. He explained that the suspect allegedly mobilised armed thugs to attack NDLEA operatives who attempted to arrest him at his enclave, resulting in the killing of three officers, including Rabiu Usman Kazaure.

Babafemi said Jimoh escaped after the incident and remained underground for over a decade before his eventual arrest. He described the operation as a major breakthrough in the agency’s sustained efforts to bring drug traffickers and violent fugitives to justice.

“Following his involvement in the brutal killing of three NDLEA officers, Kanmo-Kanmo, notorious for drug trafficking and mobilising armed thugs against security agents, was tracked to his hideout in Owode after credible intelligence,” Babafemi said. “During the operation, 69kg of skunk was recovered.”

He added that Jimoh’s drug network had previously been exposed in August 2023, when NDLEA operatives raided his residence in Ado-Odo, Ogun State, and recovered 139 sacks of skunk weighing 1,922 kilogrammes.

Although the suspect escaped at the time, the property, which served as a drug warehouse, was forfeited to the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, the NDLEA recorded several other major seizures and arrests across the country. In Edo State, operatives raided Arokpa forest in Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area, arresting a 53-year-old suspect, Isihor Edika, and seizing 320kg of skunk and cannabis seeds.

In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, a 44-year-old woman, Yinka Agboola, was arrested in the Kaura District over alleged online sales of illicit drugs. Items recovered from her residence included 2.2kg of skunk and quantities of cannabis oil reportedly produced in her kitchen.

Another suspect, Tordue Pius Richard, 30, was also arrested with cocaine and skunk in the FCT.

In Lagos State, NDLEA officers seized 118.1kg of skunk from Dauda Kareem and Saheed Obisesan at Fadeyi in Mushin, while another 116kg was recovered from a warehouse at the New Market area of Enugu, Enugu State.

Along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway in Delta State, operatives intercepted two suspects, Zaharadeen Yahaya, 25, and Sanusi Maman, 23, with 410,800 tramadol pills, 84.2 litres of codeine syrup, 82,250 tablets of diazepam and other controlled drugs.

In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives arrested Adetunji Ahmed Abayomi, 33, and Rasheed Ajao, 28, in Ibadan with large quantities of skuchies and synthetic cannabis. Another raid in the Agbeni area of the state led to the recovery of over 52,000 tramadol and bromazepam pills.

In Kwara State, officers seized 42 bags of skunk weighing 387.4kg from a residence in the Gamo area of Ilorin. In Jigawa State, an ex-convict, Gaddafi Ammani, 26, and his accomplice, Ahmed Sani, 32, were arrested at Nassarawa GRA, Ringim, with quantities of skunk and exol-5 pills. Babafemi disclosed that Ammani attempted to escape during the operation and injured an NDLEA officer.

The NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling drug networks nationwide and ensuring that fugitives, regardless of how long they evade arrest, are brought to justice.