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.

source