Woman arrested over heroin importation

Ayiba Okwudili, 28, a mother of four, is being interrogated by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over the importation of 1kg of wrapped substances suspected to be heroin.

The suspect, who was nabbed by operatives of the anti-narcotics agency attached to the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) warehouse at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, is said to have concealed the substances in a refrigerator imported from Dubai.

Family affair

Hamza Umar, airport commander for the agency, on Thursday, stated that the suspect, who deals in frozen foods at Alaba, Lagos, told narcotic agents that the consignment was sent to her by her husband who lives in Dubai. According to Mr Umar, investigations showed that the suspect allegedly functions as an intermediary between her husband and his associates in Nigeria. “This is another suspected case of family involvement in drugs,” he said. “The suspect was nabbed while attempting to clear the goods sent to her by the husband. The consignment was addressed to one Chinonso who was found to be a five-year-old son to the suspect while the telephone number was also traced to the suspect.”

In a statement from the agency, Mrs Okwudili said that her greatest regret is the welfare of her children, and admitted that her husband is in the attitude of sending his family things from Dubai after leaving the country. “My husband told me that he has sent a fridge to me,” she said. “He has been sending things to me. I feel bad that the drug was found inside the refrigerator. My greatest worry is my children; I do not know how they will cope. I married in 2001 and have four children, the eldest is seven years. My husband moved to Dubai in search of greener pastures four years after our marriage but visits at least twice in a year.”

Mitchell Ofoyeju, the spokesperson for the agency, said that the suspect will have to face the law. “The suspect hails from Anambra State and will soon appear in court,” he said.

Complicated