How the Wanted Drug Lord Who Shipped Four Loads of Cocaine to Qatar and Saudi Arabia Was Apprehended

Officials from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a notorious drug trafficker, Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu, also known as Barryshine, two years after he first came to the attention of the anti-narcotics agency. Suleiman, who serves as the Managing Director and CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, was placed on the agency's watchlist due to his alleged involvement in four unsuccessful attempts to smuggle cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, between 2022 and 2024. His name was initially mentioned on November 13, 2022, when a female passenger, Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, was detained at the MMIA while attempting to board a Qatar Airlines flight to Saudi Arabia with 400 grams of cocaine hidden in women's footwear. Subsequent investigations revealed that Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon, Suleiman's brother, had engaged the arrested drug courier. Further inquiries indicated that Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu had financed the flight tickets and other travel expenses for the suspect. Shortly after the arrest of Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, another drug trafficker, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga, was apprehended on November 24, 2022, carrying the same amount of cocaine, 400 grams, concealed in men's footwear, also en route to Saudi Arabia. The individual identified as Lawal Lateef Oyenuga admitted that he was hired by one Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan, also known as Teacher, who has since been apprehended and convicted by the court, for the purpose of facilitating activities for Suleiman. Lawal further claimed that Wasiu Gbolahan introduced him to the drug baron through an individual named Igbono, who subsequent investigations revealed to be Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, known by various aliases including Murphy, Femi Iwaya, Ade Iwaya, Baba Eje, and Ejeoto. While the investigations into these two cases were ongoing and the search for the baron continued, two drug mules were apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on June 21, 2024, as they were en route to Doha, Qatar. One of the suspects, later identified as Aikhomoun Daniel, also known as Oladapo Olanrewaju, expelled a total of 90 pellets of cocaine, weighing 1.022 kg, which he had ingested, while the second suspect, Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, excreted 60 wraps of cocaine totaling 662 grams. Subsequent investigations revealed that both couriers, Aikhomoun Daniel and Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, were recruited by the same Igbono, who is affiliated with the baron and was previously involved in the 2022 arrests of Ajesegiri Kehinde Sidika and Lawal Lateef Oyenuga. A financial investigation conducted by the Agency also established a connection between the baron Suleiman and the arrested suspects, as well as two of his associates, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, both of whom remain at large. Consequently, the Agency took action to freeze the bank accounts associated with members of the cartel, leading to the eventual arrest of Suleiman on August 26, 2024, for further inquiry. In his statements, Suleiman asserted that he is engaged in property development and hotel management, residing in both Lagos and Paris, France. He also mentioned that he operates a clothing business with his wife at Balogun market on Lagos Island, adding that his frequent trips to Saudi Arabia were for the purpose of performing lesser hajj. He claimed to hold the traditional title of Akeweje of Yaba, which translates to Youth Leader of Yaba. Two properties located at 63 and 72 Queens Street, Ebute-Meta, along with the Barryshine hotel situated at 95 Freeman Street, Yaba, Lagos, are under scrutiny. In a recent development, Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court in Lagos has approved a request from the NDLEA to extend the detention of the drug kingpin Suleiman for an additional 30 days. Furthermore, the court has issued a declaration for his two associates, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, both of whom are currently evading capture, to be considered wanted. In ruling on the ex-parte motion in case number FHC/L/MISC/555/24, Justice Dipeolu stated, “An order is hereby made declaring Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, also known as ‘Igbono’, ‘Murphy’, ‘Femi Iwaya’, ‘Ade Iwaya’, ‘Baba Eje’, and ‘Ejeoto’, wanted for his participation in various drug trafficking operations alongside Suleiman Aremu Ganiu (a.k.a Barryshine).” Additionally, the judge ruled, “An order is hereby made declaring Olanrewaju Ramon Abdullahi wanted for his involvement in drug trafficking activities with Suleiman Aremu Ganiu (a.k.a Barryshine), particularly concerning the arrest of Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, who was apprehended at MMIA Ikeja-Lagos while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in footwear.” In response to these developments, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, praised the officers and personnel of the MMIA Strategic Command for their diligent two-year investigation, which led to the conviction of three traffickers and the eventual capture of the cartel's kingpin. He emphasized that the law's reach will ultimately prevail against those engaged in criminal activities, regardless of the time required.