Drug kingpin ‘Kanmo-Kanmo’ arrested 12 years after killing three NDLEA officers
Photo of Fateema B. Bello Fateema B. Bello Send an emailJanuary 18, 20260 4 minutes read
Agency recovers illicit drugs from his hideout, nabs ex-convict, female online vendor, others in Jigawa, Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Oyo, FCT, Enugu, Kwara raids
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have successfully apprehended a long-wanted drug kingpin, Lekan Jimoh, popularly known as “Kanmo-kanmo”, ending a 12-year manhunt following his involvement in the brutal killing of three NDLEA officers.
Kanmo-Kanmo, who is notorious for drug trafficking, evading arrest and mobilizing 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. As a result, he had on 15th June 2014 orchestrated a barbaric mob action against a team of NDLEA officers who had attempted to arrest him at his enclave.
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 mobilized by Jimoh.
While the suspect managed to escape the scene that day, the Agency remained resolute in its pursuit of justice for the fallen heroes.
In another encounter with Jimoh on 12th August 2023, when NDLEA operatives stormed his residence in Ado-Odo town, Ogun state, he managed to escape while operatives succeeded in recovering 139 sacks of skunk with a total weight of 1,922 kilograms.
Following assets forfeiture proceedings instituted in court by the Agency, the house in Ado-Odo, which served as a warehouse for his illicit drug trade, has since been finally forfeited to the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Edo state on Tuesday 13th January raided the Arokpa forest, Uzebba town, Owan West LGA, leading to the arrest of another drug lord, Isihor Edika, 53, and seizure of 320kg skunk and seeds.
In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, operatives on Friday 16th January tracked and arrested a 44-year-old lady Yinka Agboola following intelligence on her online sale of illicit substances.
At the time of her arrest, 2.2kg skunk and litres of cannabis oil which she produces in her kitchen and sells through online advertisement were recovered from her home at the Kaura district, Abuja.
Another suspect, Tordue Pius Richard, 30, was on Tuesday 13th January arrested with 148.3 grams of cocaine and skunk at his 12 Biskira street, Abacha Estate, Abuja home.
While 118.1kg skunk was seized from the duo of Dauda Kareem and Saheed Obisesan at Fadeyi area of Mushin Lagos on Friday 16th January, not less than 116kg of same substance was recovered from a warehouse at new market area of Enugu, Enugu state same day.
Two suspects: Zaharadeen Yahaya, 25, and Sanusi Maman, 23, were on Thursday 15th January arrested by NDLEA operatives along Onitsha -Asaba expressway, Delta state, while conveying 410,800 pills of tramadol; 84.2 litres of codeine syrup; 82,250 tablets of diazepam; 900 tabs of swinol and 65 pills of Molly.
In Oyo state, Adetunji Ahmed Abayomi, 33, was nabbed on Thursday 15th January at Moniya, Ibadan, with 321 litres of skuchies, and 2.5kg Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, while Rasheed Ajao, 28, was caught same day at Odo-Ona, Ibadan, in possession of 5.4kg Scottish Loud; 1.696kg skunk and 2.5kg Colorado, bringing the total weight to 9.696 kilograms.
In another raid at Agbeni area of the state capital, 52,430 pills of tramadol and bromazepam were recovered from the store of Orji Edwin, currently at large, on Saturday 17th January.
In Kwara state, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 13th January raided a residential building at Gamo area of Ilorin where they seized 42 bags of skunk that weighed 387.40kg, while a total of 157,519 bottles of codeine syrup were discovered in a container at the Apapa port in Lagos during a joint examination of the shipment by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies on Friday 16th January.
An ex-convict, Gaddafi Ammani, 26, was arrested with various quantities of skunk and exol-5 pills along his accomplice Ahmed Sani, 32, at Nassarawa GRA, Ringim LGA Jigawa state on Saturday 17th January.
Before Gaddafi’s arrest, he attempted to escape by climbing the roofs of many houses in his bid to escape. He was armed with a machete which he used to threaten NDLEA operatives and even inflicted injury on one of the officers.
Across all Commands and formations of the Agency nationwide, NDLEA officers continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Umar Bin Khathab Islamiyyah School, Kurna, Kano; Tumbey College, Kajola Maya, Ikorodu, Lagos; Anglican Secondary School, Makurdi, Benue; members of Katsina emirate, Katsina; and residents of Maitumbi community, Minna, Niger state, among others.
While commending the officers and men of the Ogun, Lagos, Apapa, Edo, Delta, Oyo, FCT, Enugu, and Kwara Commands for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) acknowledged their commitment and enjoined them as well as their colleagues nationwide to maintain the current tempo of their balanced approach to the Agency’s drug control efforts.
He described the arrest of Kanmo-kanmo as a triumph of justice and a testament to the Agency’s long memory, adding that the arrest sends a clear and unambiguous message to all drug barons and 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. For twelve years, this individual lived with the blood of our gallant officers—Rabiu Usman Kazaure and two others—on his hands.
He mistakenly thought that time had erased his crimes. Today, we have proven that the NDLEA does not forget its own. We do not forget the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives in the service of our fatherland. This arrest is for the families of those three officers who have waited 12 years for justice”, Marwa said in a tribute to the officers lost over a decade ago.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday 18th January 2026
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has confirmed that the sexual assault case involving TikTok user Mirabel (@mirab351), who claimed she was raped in her apartment by a stranger, has been referred to authorities in Ogun State.
In a statement on Wednesday, the agency said it had successfully contacted a close friend of the survivor, who confirmed she had been discharged from the hospital.
The case had sparked widespread concern online, trending under the hashtag #StopRapingWomen on X (formerly Twitter), with thousands calling for urgent action against sexual assault and greater protection for survivors.
“Following our earlier statement and the widespread public response, we successfully established communication with a close friend of the survivor who confirmed that she had been discharged from the hospital.
“We sincerely appreciate members of the public who provided helpful information via our direct messages, as well as everyone who tagged the Agency to ensure swift intervention,” the agency said.
The alleged assault reportedly occurred on Sunday, February 15, with the survivor posting about the incident on Monday.
The DSVA clarified that the incident took place in Ogun State, outside its jurisdiction.
“We have since confirmed that the incident occurred in Ogun State and is therefore outside the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.
“In the spirit of interagency collaboration and survivor protection, all relevant information at our disposal has been forwarded to the appropriate authorities in Ogun State.”
The agency expressed confidence that the Ogun State Police Command is handling the matter and that the survivor would cooperate with authorities for a thorough investigation.
“We understand that the Ogun State Police Command is currently handling the matter, and we trust that the survivor will fully cooperate with the appropriate authorities to enable a thorough investigation and due process,” the statement said.
DSVA also reiterated its commitment to support survivors and maintain accessible channels for reporting sexual violence.
The agency provided multiple contacts for assistance, including a direct line (0813-796-0048), toll-free number (0-8000-333-333), MTN USSD code (*6820#), and WhatsApp AI Chatbox (0812-893-7058).
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday arraigned an Abuja-based couple, Osabohein Ologbose and his wife, Hope Oghelemu, before Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court Abuja over an alleged N740m fraud.
The couple, alongside two companies—Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-Concept Media Limited—faced seven counts of obtaining by false pretence, conversion of funds, and money laundering, contrary to Section 18(2)(b) and punishable under Section 18(4) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to the EFCC, the charges allege that between January 2023 and April 2024, Ologbose took possession of N340m paid into his Kuda Microfinance Bank account from an Access Bank account belonging to his wife, “when he reasonably ought to have known that the sum formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.”
Another count alleged that he used N24.1m from the same source to establish a music and photo studio at Crowther Plaza, Gudu District, Abuja, “when he knew or ought reasonably to have known that the said sum formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.”
The EFCC further claimed that the couple induced unsuspecting investors to part with money for the purported procurement and export of bitter kola and red kolanut to Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia, promising attractive returns. Investigations revealed that investors neither received their returns nor had their initial investments refunded.
At the arraignment, defence counsel Marshal Abubakar requested that the first defendant continue enjoying the administrative bail previously granted and sought bail for the third defendant, citing that she was nursing a one-year-old baby.
Justice Akpan allowed Ologbose to remain on administrative bail but denied bail to Oghelemu, remanding her at the Suleja Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned until April 27, 2026, for a definite hearing.
The EFCC described the arraignment as part of its ongoing effort to hold accountable individuals and entities involved in large-scale financial fraud in Nigeria.
This case follows other high-profile fraud investigations, including the recent arrest of a Lagos-based couple allegedly involved in faking a kidnapping to extort N10m from relatives and friends.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a suspect in connection with the deaths of two Nollywood production crew members found lifeless inside a parked vehicle at a movie location in Lekki, Lagos.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, told PUNCH Metro on Monday that the suspect was a member of the production team who allegedly delivered food to the deceased before they were discovered unresponsive.
“One suspect has been arrested. The suspect was the one who delivered food to the victims in the vehicle. Investigation is still ongoing,” she said.
PUNCH Metro had earlier reported that the victims — lighting director Ekemini “GeeTee” Imeh and his associate, Ayodeji Walter Odediran — were found dead on Saturday, February 7, within the premises of Evercare Hospital Lekki, which was being used as a filming location.
According to a police source, the two crew members arrived early at the set to install lighting equipment ahead of shooting. After completing the setup, they reportedly entered a tinted Nissan vehicle parked within the premises to rest while awaiting further production activities for a film said to be directed by former Big Brother Naija housemate, Boma.
“At about 11am, a production staff member delivered breakfast to them inside the vehicle. The air-conditioning was on, and both men appeared relaxed at the time. Subsequent calls to their phones went unanswered. After filming wrapped up around 8pm, they were found lifeless in the vehicle,” the source said.
The source added that both men were reportedly foaming at the mouth, with one showing blood stains around the nose and lips.
Another police source disclosed that the matter was initially reported at the Maroko Police Station, while CCTV footage from the premises is being reviewed as part of ongoing investigations.
“The bodies have been deposited in a morgue for autopsy and toxicology examinations,” the source added.
Adebisi confirmed that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further probe, noting that investigators are working to determine the exact cause of death.
Until his death, Imeh was the Chief Executive Officer of a lighting company and was known for his work on major productions, including King of Boys, as well as music videos for artistes such as Davido.
The incident comes days after gospel artiste Matthew Ogundele, popularly known as Segun Praise, and three of his crew members were found dead inside a music studio in the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah, Lagos State.
