Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested Alhaji Suleiman Aremu, also known as Barryshine, a wanted drug baron linked to multiple cocaine trafficking attempts to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The arrest comes two years after Suleiman, the CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, was placed on the agency’s watchlist for his alleged involvement in four foiled cocaine shipments through Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, between 2022 and 2024.
NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Friday, detailed how Suleiman’s name first surfaced on November 13, 2022, following the arrest of Alhaja Ajisegiri Sidika, who was caught with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in footwear while boarding a Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia. Subsequent investigations revealed that Sidika was hired by Suleiman’s brother, Abdullahi Ramon, and that Suleiman financed her travel expenses.
Further incidents linked to Suleiman include the November 24, 2022, arrest of Lawal Oyenuga, another drug courier caught with 400 grams of cocaine hidden in male footwear en route to Saudi Arabia. Oyenuga confessed that he was recruited by Wasiu Gbolahan, also known as Teacher, who in turn was working for Suleiman. Gbolahan connected Oyenuga to Suleiman through another associate, Oluwafemi Abidoye, alias Igbono.
The manhunt for Suleiman intensified after two more drug mules, Aikhomoun Daniel and Ayigoro Omobolaji, were apprehended on June 21, 2024, at MMIA while attempting to travel to Doha, Qatar. Daniel excreted 90 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.022 kilograms, while Omobolaji excreted 60 wraps weighing 662 grams. Investigations confirmed that both couriers were recruited by Abidoye, Suleiman’s associate.
NDLEA’s financial investigation linked Suleiman directly to the arrested traffickers and their recruiters, Abidoye and Ramon, both of whom are currently at large. As part of the crackdown, the agency froze bank accounts associated with the cartel, leading to Suleiman’s arrest on August 26, 2024.
In his statement, Suleiman claimed to be involved in property development and hotel management, with businesses in Lagos and Paris. He also mentioned owning a clothing business with his wife at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, and stated that his trips to Saudi Arabia were for religious purposes. Suleiman, who holds the traditional title of Akeweje of Yaba, has properties linked to him, including two houses on Queens Street, Ebute-Meta, and Barryshine Hotel on Freeman Street, Yaba, Lagos.
Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has granted NDLEA’s request to extend Suleiman’s detention for 30 days and declared his associates Abidoye and Ramon wanted. The judge also issued orders for their apprehension in connection with the drug trafficking activities involving Suleiman.
Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the agency’s officers for their dedication to the two-year investigation that led to the arrest of Suleiman and the conviction of three traffickers. He emphasized that the law will eventually catch up with anyone involved in criminal activities, no matter how long it takes.
