By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia
NIGERIAN AUTHORITIES have arrested a notorious drug baron connected to multiple failed cocaine smuggling attempts to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The suspect, Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu, also known as Barryshine, had evaded capture for two years.
His name first surfaced during investigations into cocaine smuggling operations that took place at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos between 2022 and 2024.
Suleiman’s involvement came to light after the arrest of Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika on November 13, 2022.
She was caught with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in footwear on a Qatar Airways flight bound for Saudi Arabia.
Further investigations revealed that Suleiman’s brother, Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon, hired Sidika as a drug courier, with Suleiman financing her travel expenses.
Just over a week later, on November 24, 2022, authorities arrested another drug mule, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga, at MMIA with the same amount of cocaine—400 grams—hidden in footwear.
Oyenuga confessed to being recruited by a man named Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan, who worked for Suleiman.
Wasiu, later convicted in court, connected Oyenuga to Suleiman through an intermediary named Igbono, who was later identified as Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, also known by various aliases, including Murphy and Femi Iwaya.
As authorities continued their investigation, they captured two more drug couriers at MMIA on June 21, 2024.
One of the suspects, identified as Aikhomoun Daniel, ingested 90 pellets of cocaine weighing over 1 kilogram.
The second suspect, Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, excreted 60 pellets of cocaine weighing 662 grams.
Investigators discovered that both couriers had been recruited by Igbono, who was still working for Suleiman.
Financial investigations connected Suleiman to the drug mules and two of his associates: Igbono and his brother, Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon.
Both men are currently on the run, and their bank accounts have been frozen as part of the ongoing investigation.
Suleiman was finally apprehended on August 26, 2024. In his statements to authorities, he claimed to be a property developer and hotel manager.
He also stated that he travels regularly to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj and manages a clothing business with his wife at Balogun Market, Lagos Island.
He holds the traditional title of Akeweje of Yaba, a youth leader position.
Authorities have since traced several properties linked to Suleiman, including two houses in Ebute-Meta and a hotel in Yaba, Lagos.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted an extension of Suleiman’s detention for 30 days to allow further investigations.
The court has also declared his two associates, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, wanted for their involvement in the smuggling operations.
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers involved for their thorough investigation over the past two years.
He reiterated that no matter how long it takes, the law will eventually catch up with those involved in illegal drug trafficking.
