LAGOS—The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Alhaji Sulaiman Jimoh, known as Temo, a notorious drug lord and leader of a drug gang in Mushin, Lagos.
The 57-year-old, who had long evaded arrest, was captured at his hideout despite resistance from his armed supporters.
NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, announced the arrest in a statement on Wednesday.
Temo, who had successfully avoided capture for years despite being linked to numerous significant drug shipments worth billions of naira, was finally apprehended. Babafemi noted that previous clashes with Temo’s crew often led to shootouts, complicating his capture.
“In the last two years, the NDLEA had intercepted large consignments of illicit drugs worth billions of naira owned by Temo, but he has remained largely evasive while a few encounters with him and his armed gangs in his Mushin enclave had resulted in a gunfight,” the statement read.
Recent drug shipments intercepted by the NDLEA from Temo include 14,524.8 kilograms of Ghana Loud, a potent strain of cannabis sativa, smuggled into Lagos from Ghana. These were confiscated in two trucks and a J5 bus at Ojuelegba, Lagos, in January 2024. Additionally, two truckloads of the same substance, totaling 8,852kg, were seized at Eleko Beach, Lekki, in May 2023, and 252kg of Loud was confiscated from his Mushin hideout on July 26, 2023.
Throughout these operations, Temo’s associates frequently clashed with NDLEA agents in violent encounters. Despite his notorious reputation and persistent efforts to evade capture, Temo was finally apprehended on Monday, July 22, 2024, at Igbarere Street, Mushin.
The report mentioned that NDLEA’s surveillance units had been tracking Temo, and approximately 50 agents were deployed to the location when he tried to flee in a Mercedes Benz SUV GLE 350. His attempt to rally thugs to divert the agents’ attention was unsuccessful, and he was ultimately subdued and arrested.
In response to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers for their determination, alertness, and expertise. Marwa emphasized the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug cartels and warned other criminals involved in the drug trade to desist or face similar consequences.
“I’m particularly delighted because the arrest was eventually effected in his enclave without any casualty 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.
(Independent)