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Wanted drug baron behind 4 cocaine shipments to Saudi Arabia, Qatar arrested
Wanted drug baron behind 4 cocaine shipments to Saudi Arabia, Qatar arrested
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have taken into custody a wanted drug baron, Alhaji Suleiman Aremu (a.k.a Barryshine) two years after coming under the radar of the anti-narcotics agency.
Suleiman who is the Managing Director/CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, according to a statement on Friday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi came under the agency’s watchlist over his alleged role in four foiled attempts to export cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos between 2022 and 2024.
Babafemi said the alleged drug baron, name first featured on November 13, 2022, when a female passenger on Qatar airlines flight to Saudi Arabia, Alhaja Ajisegiri Sidika was arrested at the MMIA in possession of 400 grammes of cocaine, which was concealed inside female footwears.
He said investigations later revealed that one Abdullahi Ramon, who is a brother to Suleiman hired the arrested drug courier, with further facts subsequently emerging that the flight tickets and other travel expenses of the suspect were sourced by Alhaji Suleiman Aremu.
Babafemi said a few days after the arrest of Ajisegiri Sidika, another drug mule, Lawal Oyenuga was arrested on November 24, 2022, with the same quantity of cocaine, 400 grammes, concealed in male footwears while going to the same destination, Saudi Arabia.
The suspect, Lawal Oyenuga on his arrest and interrogation, confessed that one Wasiu Gbolahan (a.k.a Teacher) who was later arrested and convicted by the court, hired him for Suleiman. Lawal further alleged that Wasiu Gbolahan linked him up with the baron through one Igbono, who was later unveiled through investigation as Oluwafemi Abidoye (a.k.a Igbono, Murphy, Femi Iwaya, Ade Iwaya, Baba Eje and Ejeoto)
Babafemi said, while investigation of the two cases subsisted and the manhunt for the baron was ongoing, two drug mules were arrested at the MMIA on June 21, 2024 on their way to Doha, Qatar. One of the suspects who was later identified as Aikhomoun Daniel (a.k.a Oladapo Olanrewaju) digested in observation custody a total of 90 pellets of cocaine, weighing 1.022 kilogrammes, which he ingested, while the second suspect, Ayigoro Omobolaji excreted 60 wraps of cocaine with a total weight of 662 grammes.
He said further investigation later revealed that the two arrested couriers, Aikhomoun Daniel and Ayigoro Omobolaji were recruited by the same Igbono who works for the baron and featured in 2022 during the arrest of Ajesegiri Sidika and Lawal Oyenuga.
He added that financial investigation conducted by the agency also linked the baron Suleiman to the arrested suspects and two of his associates who recruit traffickers for him: Oluwafemi Abidoye and Olanrewaju Ramon, both currently at large.
The spokesman said as a result, the agency blocked the bank accounts linked to members of the cartel after which Suleiman was eventually taken into custody on August 26, 2024 for further investigation.
In his statements, Suleiman was said to have claimed he is into property development and hotel management while he lives in Lagos and Paris, France.
He also stated that he runs another business that deals in cloths with his wife at Balogun market, Lagos Island, adding that his regular visits to Saudi Arabia was to perform lesser hajj.
He said he holds the traditional title of Akeweje of Yaba (Youth Leader of Yaba Land). Already, some properties traced to Suleiman include: two houses at 63 and 72 Queens Street, Ebute-Meta and his Barryshine hotel at 95 Freeman street, Yaba, Lagos.
Meanwhile, Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court, Lagos has granted an application by the NDLEA for the extension of the detention of the drug kingpin Suleiman for 30 days and to declare his two associates: Oluwafemi Abidoye and Olanrewaju Ramon, both currently at large, wanted.
Ruling on the motion ex-parte in suit number: FHC/L/MISC/555/24, Justice Dipeolu said: “an order is hereby made declaring one Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye a.ka ‘Igbono’, ‘Murphy’, ‘Femi Iwaya’, ‘Ade Iwaya’, ‘Baba Eje’, ‘Ejeoto’ wanted who is presently at large for his involvement in multiple drug trafficking activities with Suleiman Aremu Ganiu (a.k.a Barryshine).”
The judge also ruled that “an order is hereby made declaring one Olarenwaju Ramon Abdulahi wanted who is presently at large for his involvement in the drug trafficking activities with Suleiman Aremu Ganiu (a.k.a Baryshine) with respect to the arrest of Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika who was arrested at MMIA Ikeja-Lagos during outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia with 400 grammes of cocaine concealed in foot wears.”
Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men of the MMIA Strategic Command for the painstaking two years investigation that culminated in the conviction of three traffickers and the eventual arrest of the kingpin behind the cartel. He said this demonstrates that the long arm of the law will always get whoever is involved in the criminal trade no matter how long it takes.
Wanted drug baron behind 4 cocaine shipments to Saudi Arabia, Qatar arrested
Chillariye speaks on reconciliation between Ngizimawa and Karai-karai tribes in Yobe
By: Yahaya Wakili
The chairman of the reconciliation committee between Ngizimawa and Karai-karai and adviser on nongovernmental affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, Alhaji Adamu Abdu Chillariye, has said that about 85% out of 100 of the reconciliation was successfully achieved.
Chillariye started this when the leaders of Ngizimawa from Mamudo constituents (Yanki Shida), led by Hon. Saidu Arjali, called on him to brief them on the progress so far. He said, Now we will arrange how we would meet together to discuss what worries us.
He calls on individuals who have an interest in this move to make their own contribution by enlightening the people on peace living, adding that the unity of Ngizimawa and Karai-karai is the unity of all the tribes in Yobe State.
“Lack of unity of these two major tribes in the Yobe South Senatorial District is worrying some of the people of the zone as well as destabilizing the politics of the zone. Therefore, we are now trying to build the permanent relationship with Stone to be very strong so that it will not break down again,” Adamu Chillariye said.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegates, Hon. Saidu Arjali, senior liaison officer to Governor Mai Mala Buni, said the reason why we come here is to bring peace and harmony between our tribes Ngizimawa and Karai-karai people.
“Because we are the majority in the zone, especially in Potiskum, and we are scattered by some political leaders, that is why we want to unite ourselves in order to help our governor in the next coming elections and also to fulfill his promises to the people during the last 2023 campaign,” Arjali said.
According to Arjali, “Our governor is trying his own ability, so being Karai-karai and Ngizimawa have been scattered for a long time, and our people have some votes for another party, some have not even voted; therefore, we call on our people not to vote for another party or refuse to vote in the next elections.
Chillariye speaks on reconciliation between Ngizimawa and Karai-karai tribes in Yobe
Zulum Announces Scholarship to Female Indigenes with JAMB Score of 250 and Above
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced scholarship to Borno female indigenes who scored 250 and above in the 2025 Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Zulum made the announcement on Saturday at the inauguration ceremony of new executive members of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Maiduguri Chapter and scholarship programme to 12 female students by wife of the governor at the Government House, Maiduguri.
The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) is a platform that provides mentorship and advocacy for gender inclusion in engineering, promote the advancement of women in engineering and inspire young girls to pursue careers in science and technology.
The governor assured that his administration will continue to support girl child education and sponsor more women to study medical and technical education.
“In order to encourage girl child education in the state, I want to announce that all female indigenes of the state that have scored 250 and above in JAMB would be sponsored by the Borno State government to either study technical/vocational education or Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses,” Zulum announced.
The governor then directed the acting Chief of Staff, the state scholarship board, Ministry of Education and APWEN, Maiduguri chapter, to identify and screen those that met the criteria to benifit from the scholarship.
He commended his wife for the scholarship programme and congratulated the outgoing and incoming chairperson for their commitment towards promoting the engineering profession.
In a paper titled: The role of Mentorship in Encouraging Girls to pursue Engineering Careers in Nigeria, wife of the governor, Dr Habiba Babagana Zulum, observed that mentosrship is a tool for personal and professional development, noting that women in Nigeria make only 14% of STEM work force, stressing that excluding more than 50% of the population in nation building is counter-productive.
“Mentorship is critical to shaping the minds and future of upcoming generations, identify inspiring role modelling, breaking stereotype, guidance and support, overcoming obstacles, building confidence and skills, critical thinking and creativity, networking and opportunities, access to resources and opportunities as aspects that encourage mentorship,” Dr Habiba stressed.
The outgoing Chairperson of APWEN, Engr Kori Shettima, said the association has worked tirelessly to create a platform that fosters innovation, mentorship, advocacy and collaboration with the aim of paving the way for future generations of female.
“I am proud of the progress we have made, the lives we have touched and the young minds we have inspired. Our advocacy for girl child education in STEM has been a beacon of hope, illuminating paths to a brighter future,” Kori stated.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the inauguration of the 4th APWEN Chairperson, Engr. Hajju Tijjani Gazali, and award of scholarship of N200,000 to six best female pupils of Wulari primary school, Maiduguri, and N300,000 to six best science students in Federal Government Girls College, Monguno.
Zulum Announces Scholarship to Female Indigenes with JAMB Score of 250 and Above
Gunmen kill community leader, three others in Anambra terrorist attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) have attacked a residence in Isseke community of Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, killing a prominent community leader and three women.
Zagazola Makama understands that the incident, which occurred at about 1:00 p.m. on Friday, was reported by the President General of Mbosi town, Hon. Pastor Azuka Innocent Okolie.
The the assailants stormed the residence of Ichie Kennedy Igboanugo, also known as Ichie Akurou-Ulo 1, in Ekwuru village an area described as heavily infiltrated by IPOB/ESN operatives and fatally shot him and the three female victims, whose identities are yet to be confirmed.
Security forces have been deployed to the area to restore calm and pursue the perpetrators.
The motive for the killings remains unclear, but security agencies suspect it may be linked to IPOB’s ongoing campaign of violence in the South-East.
Gunmen kill community leader, three others in Anambra terrorist attack
Army Troops foil another bandit attack in Karim Lamido, Taraba
Chillariye speaks on reconciliation between Ngizimawa and Karai-karai tribes in Yobe
Troops sustain security operations in Taraba amid rising tension, population returns
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