Twelve years after three NDLEA officers were killed, agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) claim to have apprehended Lekan Jimoh, a sought “drug kingpin” also known as “Kanmo-Kanmo.”
In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi claimed that Jimoh was captured on Friday after agents followed reliable information to his hiding place in Owode town, Ogun state.
According to the agency, a strain of cannabis and 69 kg of skunk were found on the suspect at the time of the arrest.
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NDLEA stated that Jimoh had been on the run since June 15, 2014, when he allegedly organised armed thugs to attack officers who were trying to apprehend him, killing Rabiu Usman Kazaure and two other officers.
The agency claims that the suspect escaped during the 2014 incident but had remained a fugitive despite sustained efforts to bring him to justice.
On August 12, 2023, NDLEA stated, agents also stormed Jimoh’s home in Ado-Odo, Ogun state, but he managed to flee while 139 sacks of skunk totalling 1,922 kilogrammes were found.
According to the agency, after court processes, the Ado-Odo house—which was used as a storage for illegal drugs—was later forfeited to the federal government.
“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,” the NDLEA said.
Other Seizures by the Agency
In a separate operation, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives in Edo State on Tuesday, January 13, raided Arokpa forest in Uzebba town, Owan West Local Government Area, arresting a 53-year-old suspect, Isihor Edika, and seizing 320 kilograms of skunk and cannabis seeds.
He also revealed other seizures made by the agency across other states of the federation including Lagos; 2.2 kilograms of skunk and quantities of cannabis oil, Oyo state, with different quantities of skuchies, Colorado, Scottish Loud and skunk recovered, Delta state with large quantities of tramadol, codeine syrup, diazepam, swinol and Molly seized among others.
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Buba Marwa, chairman and chief executive officer of NDLEA, expressed satisfaction over the incident, commending officers across commands for the arrests and seizures.
Marwa described Jimoh’s arrest as “a triumph of justice and a testament to the agency’s long memory”.
“You may run, and you may hide for a season, but the long arm of the law will eventually find you,” he said.
“The arrest of Lekan Jimoh is particularly significant because it closes a painful chapter that began on June 15, 2014.
“For twelve years, this individual lived with the blood of our gallant officers — Rabiu Usman Kazaure and two others — on his hands.
“This arrest is for the families of those three officers who have waited 12 years for justice.”
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