The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has officially closed one of its most painful chapters. After 12 years on the run, the agency has apprehended Lekan Jimoh, better known by his street name “Kanmo-Kanmo,” a high-profile drug kingpin linked to the brutal murder of three NDLEA officers.
This arrest isn’t just a win for security—it’s a powerful message that in the “New Nigeria,” the law has a very long memory.The hunt for Kanmo-Kanmo began on June 15, 2014. During a routine operation to arrest him at his enclave, Jimoh allegedly orchestrated a barbaric mob action. He mobilized armed thugs who launched a cold-blooded assault on the tactical team, resulting in the tragic deaths of three gallant officers, including Rabiu Usman Kazaure.While the kingpin managed to slip away into the shadows that day, he remained at the top of the NDLEA’s “Most Wanted” list for over a decade.
The 12-year game of cat-and-mouse ended on Friday, January 16, 2026. Following months of actionable intelligence and a relentless tracking operation by NDLEA tactical teams, Kanmo-Kanmo was cornered at his secret hideout in Owode town, Ogun State. 69 kilograms of Skunk (a potent strain of cannabis) were recovered during the arrest and The suspect was found alone, ending his streak of using armed mobs to evade justice.
In August 2023, operatives stormed his residence in Ado-Odo, Ogun State. While he managed to flee through a secret exit, the NDLEA seized 1,922 kilograms of skunk (139 sacks) from the property.
Reacting to the breakthrough, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) hailed the arrest as a triumph of justice.
“For twelve years, this individual lived with the blood of our gallant officers on his hands… Today, we have proven that the NDLEA does not forget its own,” Marwa stated.
