The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully apprehended 57-year-old Alhaji Sulaiman Jimoh, widely known as Temo, the alleged mastermind of a notorious drug cartel operating in Mushin, Lagos.
News About Nigeria gathered that the arrest occurred after an intense standoff between NDLEA operatives and Jimoh’s associates, known for their aggressive resistance to capture.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, announced the arrest on Wednesday.
He said the agency has been relentless in its efforts over the past two years to curb Jimoh’s drug trafficking activities.
Despite seizing significant quantities of illicit drugs linked to him, including a recent haul of 14,524.8 kilogrammes of high-grade cannabis from Ghana, Jimoh had previously evaded capture.
The NDLEA’s persistent surveillance and intelligence operations resulted in Jimoh’s arrest on Monday, July 22, 2024.
He was tracked to a location on Igbarere Street in Mushin, where a swift mobilisation of 50 NDLEA operatives prevented his escape attempt in a luxury SUV.
The operation ended without casualties, despite a confrontation with Jimoh’s armed supporters.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the agency’s personnel for their professionalism and determination in capturing Jimoh, a fugitive who had long evaded justice.
Marwa stressed the NDLEA’s ongoing commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks across Nigeria, warning other criminals that their evasion tactics would ultimately fail.
“I’m particularly delighted because the arrest was eventually effected in his enclave without any casualties despite the attack on our men. This is, therefore, a clear message to others still involved in this criminal trade of illicit drugs that if they don’t opt out now, we’ll get them because we’re just steps away from their doorsteps, and more importantly, they can only run, they can’t hide forever,” Marwa stated.
