With $1,200, this 52-year-old woman was lured into drug trafficking

Despite Abdulquadri’ stiff resistance, female narcotic operatives dragged her into an office where they stripped her naked and removed the parcel of heroin hid in her private part. The parcel, weighing 208 grams was wrapped in polythene bag and bound with cello tape. She was screaming in Yoruba language when the parcel was being removed […]

Despite Abdulquadri’ stiff resistance, female narcotic operatives dragged her into an office where they stripped her naked and removed the parcel of heroin hid in her private part. The parcel, weighing 208 grams was wrapped in polythene bag and bound with cello tape. She was screaming in Yoruba language when the parcel was being removed from her private part complaining that inserting the parcel and removing it was equally very painful. She lamented getting involved in drug trafficking, confessing it was her first attempt.

She said Chicago was her final destination while revealing  that she sold clothes before now but was forced by circumstances to go into drug trafficking. The suspect who hails from Isan-Ekiti in Ekiti state was born and brought up in Lagos. She claimed she was unknowingly recruited as a drug courier by a friend she contacted at Badagry for financial assistance. She said she was given the drug at Seme border by the lady friend who promised to help her out of her financial predicament. Abdulquadri said, though, her friend did not mention drugs to the woman lured for an attractive sum of money.

“I am involved in drug trafficking because of my children. My expectation was to rent a shop for my business and pay my children’s school fees. It is a painful experience for me particularly the ingestion of the drugs and the parcel prepared for me to insert in my private part. I would have changed my mind at that point. I used water in swallowing the drugs but it just could not go down my throat so they gave me soft drink to drink and push. The whole process was very painful. I tried to endure because I needed the money.  

“I was virtually in hell with the drugs in my body but I had to do it because of my financial situation. It was a bitter experience. Though I was given $1,200 dollars advance payment with a promise that when I get to Chicago, I will be handsomely rewarded, still I was uncomfortable. I was brainwashed by a woman like me, though it is not entirely her fault I feel very sad. I do not know how to face my children now. I have made a mistake but God will take control. I am an old woman. I deserve some sympathy from them,” she said.

Confirming the arrest, NDLEA Airport Commander, Alhaji Hamza Umar, said adequate arrangements have been made by the NDLEA at the airport to detect and arrest any attempt to traffic in drugs. He stressed that drug traffickers need not hide under any guise to smuggle drugs as the agency is prepared to stop and arrest them, adding: “We do not look at a passenger’s age or status. Our job is simply to arrest them as they come and that is our contribution towards a crime free society,” Hamza stated.    

In addition, Head of Public Affairs of the agency, Mr Ofoyeju Mitchell, lamented that advanced women who are mainly widows are increasingly getting involved in drug trafficking. He said the rate at which women are becoming involved in drug trafficking is becoming alarming and worrisome. He said the agency is conducting series of campaigns through the media to educate people on the ills of drug trafficking and consumption. He urged religious and community leaders to join hands with the agency to educate the public on the need to expose any drug courier or drug baron who may wish to recruit other drug couriers.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade, commended the federal government and other foreign governments and organizations for providing the agency with necessary machines capable of detecting any form of drug concealment.

Commenting on Abdulquadri’s arrest, Giade noted that the suspect’s action was a reflection of her moral depravity. He therefore urged members of the public to avoid the temptation for quick wealth, adding that a good name is better than ill-gotten wealth. ‘‘It must take character deficiency for a mother of her age to condescend to such level of depravity. People should learn to build and protect their good names which is far better than illegitimate wealth,” Giade stated.