The leader of the drug cartel in Mushin, Lagos known as Sulaiman Jimoh aka Temo has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), according to reports on Wednesday. Temo, who had been on the agency’s wanted list, had been evading arrest until he was eventually apprehended.
His arrest follows the capture of another drug baron named Joachin Mbonu in Imo State on July 12 after fleeing from South Africa. NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, revealed that Temo was caught at his hideout after initially resisting arrest with his associates.
Babafemi stated, “After many years of wearing the toga of invincibility, the overall head of the Mushin, Lagos drug cartel, 57-year-old Alhaji Sulaiman Jimoh (alias Olowoidiogede, also known as Temo), has been arrested by operatives of the NDLEA, at his enclave after an initial resistance from him and his horde of hoodlums.”
NDLEA operatives had seized drugs worth billions of naira from Temo, along with engaging in gunfights with his armed gangs during recent encounters. Several large consignments of illicit drugs linked to Temo have been intercepted over the past two years, leading to fierce confrontations between his men and NDLEA officers.
Elaborating on Temo’s capture, Babafemi mentioned that the NDLEA’s surveillance team located him on Igbarere Street in Mushin and managed to apprehend him on July 22 after attempting to flee. A reinforcement of 50 operatives was promptly called in when Temo tried to escape in a Mercedes Benz SUV.
Despite Temo’s unsuccessful attempt to mobilize hoodlums to aid his escape, the NDLEA successfully overpowered him and his associates. The agency recovered the Mercedes Benz SUV Temo was attempting to use for his getaway.
Babafemi highlighted that NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) praised the officers and men of the Lagos State Command, Special Monitoring Task Force, and other formations for their efforts in capturing Temo.
He quoted the Chairman saying, “The officers and men of the Lagos State Command, Special Monitoring Task Force, and other formations tasked with the assignment of apprehending Temo deserve commendation for their resilience, vigilance, and professionalism. They are encouraged to keep up the pressure on all drug cartels wherever they may be situated.”