Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

A 25-year-old Nigerian woman identified as Ifeoluwa Akinwunmi, risks up to 20 years jail in India after she was allegedly caught in possession of a banned substance (hard drugs) worth over N1.8 billion.

Akinwunmi, reportedly a hairstylist and nail artist, was arrested last Tuesday by operatives of the Anti-Narcotics Wing of the Central Crime Branch in Bengaluru.

As reported by The Punch, she was apprehended at the Tarahunase village, along Rajanukunte Main Road, after arriving from Delhi with a suspicious bag.

According to The New Indian Express, the bag contained 5.325 kilograms of MDMA crystals, a banned party drug.

The contraband was concealed among 11 new churidars — traditional Indian outfits.

Police officials stated that four unidentified men on two scooters were spotted near the scene but fled without collecting the package.

Akinwunmi, who claimed she traveled to India to open a beauty salon, was taken into custody after being found with the suspicious bag.

“She is a courier. She had come to hand over the drugs to a group of African peddlers.

“We noticed four men on two scooters in the area, but they did not collect the parcel. Akinwunmi was arrested while standing with the bag,” a police officer involved in the operation was quoted as saying.

The suspect, now faces charges under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and the Foreigners Act, 1946.

Section 23 of the NDPS Act reads in part:

“Where the contravention involves commercial quantity, [the offender shall be punished] with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to twenty years and shall also be liable to a fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to two lakh rupees.”

Under the Foreigners Act of 1946, the Indian government also has the authority to prosecute and deport foreigners involved in criminal activities.

Following the news, Nigerians have taken to the comment section on X to shared their opinions. Legit.ng compiled a few reactions below;

@Mrlogzzy_media tweeted:

"Nigeria government will fight for her."

@dat7680 tweeted:

"The authorities should investigate. She's not Yoruba but a Yoruba impostor. She definitely Ibo."

@gen_combo tweeted:

"Ok I was expecting to see an igbo name but behold na Ndi yorubackyard daughter. What goes about comes around."

@Mudaoye2013 tweeted:

"But why are these people so desperate as this, what was she thinking when she took that risk, does she think India would just allow her into their country or those sending her on that risky business not tell her the truth?"

Read more about India here:

In a related news, Legit.ng reported that Indian police nabbed a Nigerian narcotic peddler and seized pills worth Rs 10.5 lakh on Wednesday, August 16.

The accused was identified as Ogbaugu David Uka, also known as Pastor Davison or Iwu.

The embattled cleric resided in Bangalore and often allegedly travelled to Hyderabad to supply narcotics to the peddlers there.

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Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng