The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a notorious drug baron, Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu, also known as “Barryshine,” after two years on the run. Suleiman, the Managing Director/CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, was implicated in four failed attempts to smuggle cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, between 2022 and 2024.
His involvement first surfaced in November 2022 when a female passenger, Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, was arrested with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in footwear while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia. Investigations linked her to Suleiman’s network, revealing that her travel expenses were covered by Suleiman’s brother, Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon.
Just days after this arrest, another courier, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga, was apprehended with the same amount of cocaine. Oyenuga confessed that he had been hired by a man named Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan (alias “Teacher”), who worked for Suleiman. Further investigation led to the discovery of another key figure in the drug cartel, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, known by multiple aliases, including “Igbono” and “Murphy.”
In June 2024, two more couriers, Aikhomoun Daniel and Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, were caught at MMIA with over 1.6kg of cocaine in total. Both men admitted to being recruited by Igbono, further solidifying the connection to Suleiman’s operation.
Following Suleiman’s arrest on August 26, 2024, he claimed to be involved in property development, hotel management, and clothing sales at Lagos Island’s Balogun market. He also stated he frequently traveled to Saudi Arabia for religious purposes, holding the traditional title of Akeweje of Yaba.
Several properties connected to Suleiman, including two houses in Ebute-Meta and Barryshine Hotel in Yaba, were identified. Meanwhile, Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted NDLEA’s request to detain Suleiman for 30 days and declared his associates, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olarenwaju Ramon, wanted.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the agency’s MMIA Strategic Command for their thorough investigation, leading to the conviction of three traffickers and Suleiman’s arrest, proving that justice will eventually catch up with criminals.
