Wanted Drug Kingpin ‘Kanmo-Kanmo’ Arrested 12 Years After Murder of Three NDLEA Officers

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested one of Nigeria’s most notorious fugitive drug kingpins, Lekan Jimoh, popularly known as “Kanmo-Kanmo,” ending a 12-year manhunt linked to the brutal killing of three agency officers.

The arrest was made on January 16, 2026, in Owode town, Ogun State, following a precision intelligence-led operation by NDLEA tactical teams.

Jimoh, who had been on the agency’s wanted list since June 15, 2014, allegedly orchestrated a violent attack on NDLEA personnel in Ogun State when officers attempted to arrest him at his base.

The mob he mobilised killed three officers, including Rabiu Usman Kazaure, before he escaped and evaded capture for over a decade.

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During the recent operation that led to his arrest, NDLEA operatives recovered 69 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, from Jimoh’s hideout. The seizure underscores his continued involvement in large-scale drug trafficking and his resistance to law enforcement.

Jimoh’s criminal record includes past confrontations with law enforcement. In August 2023, NDLEA officers raided his residence in Ado-Odo, Ogun State, recovering 1,922 kilograms of skunk, though he managed to escape at that time. The property used as a drug warehouse was later forfeited to the Federal Government through court action.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi described the arrest as a major breakthrough for the agency, reinforcing that no fugitive can evade justice indefinitely. The successful capture of Kanmo-Kanmo has been hailed as a triumph in the fight against drug trafficking and a significant step toward justice for the families of the fallen officers.

The arrest comes amid intensified nationwide anti-narcotics operations, with other significant drug busts and arrests recorded in states such as Edo, Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Oyo, and Kwara, involving large quantities of illicit substances and multiple suspects.

Jimoh is expected to face prosecution for his alleged crimes, bringing long-awaited closure to one of Nigeria’s longest-pursued drug fugitives.