The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a notorious drug baron, Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu, also known as Barryshine, after a two-year investigation.
Aremu, the Managing Director and CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, has been under the NDLEA’s radar for his alleged involvement in four attempts to smuggle cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The NDLEA’s relentless investigation began in November 2022 when a female passenger, Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, was caught at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, with 400 grams of cocaine hidden in her footwear.
Further investigations revealed that Sidika was hired by Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon, Aremu’s brother. The travel expenses and flight tickets for Sidika were reportedly covered by Aremu.
Days after Sidika’s arrest, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga was apprehended on November 24, 2022, also at MMIA, with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in similar footwear, bound for Saudi Arabia. Oyenuga revealed that he was hired by Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan, who was later convicted for his role in the drug ring.
Gbolahan, in turn, was connected to Aremu through Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, also known as Igbono, who is currently at large.
As the investigation progressed, two more drug mules, Aikhomoun Daniel and Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, were arrested on June 21, 2024, while attempting to smuggle cocaine to Doha, Qatar. Daniel had ingested 90 pellets of cocaine, and Omobolaji had excreted 60 wraps.
The NDLEA linked these arrests to Aremu and his associates through financial investigations and the tracing of their cartel operations.
The NDLEA’s efforts culminated in Aremu’s arrest on August 26, 2024. In his statements, Aremu claimed to be involved in property development and hotel management, with frequent travels to Saudi Arabia for religious reasons. He also highlighted his traditional title as Akeweje of Yaba, a role he uses to assert his community leadership.
Properties traced to Aremu include two houses on Queens Street, Ebute-Meta, and his Barryshine Hotel in Yaba, Lagos.
Following Aremu’s arrest, Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court, Lagos, granted the NDLEA’s request to extend Aremu’s detention for 30 days. The court also issued a warrant for the arrest of Aremu’s associates, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, who are still on the run.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu declared Abidoye, also known as Igbono, and Ramon as wanted for their roles in the drug trafficking operations.
Reacting to the arrest, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, commended the agency’s officers for their dedication.
Marwa emphasized that the arrest demonstrates the NDLEA’s commitment to combatting drug trafficking, no matter how long it takes.
“This arrest shows that there is no hiding place for drug barons. The NDLEA will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those involved in drug trafficking are brought to justice,” Marwa stated.
The arrest of Suleiman Aremu is a significant achievement for the NDLEA and marks a crucial step in dismantling a major drug trafficking network operating between Nigeria and the Middle East.
