The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has achieved a significant breakthrough with the arrest of Alhaji Sulaiman Jimoh, alias Olowoidiogede, popularly known as Temo, the notorious ringleader of the Mushin drug cartel.
In a statement, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi announced: “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, popularly known as Temo), has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at his enclave after initial resistance from him and his horde of hoodlums.”
The statement detailed the agency’s relentless efforts over the past two years to intercept large consignments of illicit drugs worth billions of naira linked to Temo. Despite his evasiveness and armed confrontations with NDLEA operatives, Temo’s reign came to an end. Recent seizures included 14,524.8 kilograms of Ghana Loud, a potent strain of cannabis sativa, smuggled into Lagos from Ghana in January 2024, 8,852 kilograms of the same substance intercepted at Eleko Beach, Lekki in May 2023, and 252 kilograms of Loud seized in Mushin in July 2023.
Temo, known for his ability to evade capture, was tracked by NDLEA’s surveillance teams and apprehended at Igbarere Street, Mushin, at 10 am on Monday, July 22, 2024. A reinforcement of about 50 operatives was mobilized as he attempted to escape in a Mercedes Benz SUV GLE 350. His efforts to mobilize hoodlums and distract the operatives failed, and he was overpowered and arrested without casualties despite resistance.
NDLEA Chairman and CEO Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men involved in the operation for their resilience, vigilance, and professionalism. He urged them to intensify efforts against all drug cartels, stating, “This arrest sends a clear message to others still involved in this criminal trade of illicit drugs: if they don’t opt out now, we’ll get them because we’re just steps away from their doorsteps, and they can only run, but they can’t hide forever.”
