Yetunde Wunmi opens up on 2006 NDLEA arrest, loss of toddler son

Veteran actress Taiwo Akinwande, popularly known as Yetunde Wunmi, has opened up about her 2006 arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the painful loss of her toddler son.

The actress shared the experiences during a recent interview with FeelrightNews TV, where she reflected on some of the most difficult periods of her life.

Recalling her arrest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in 2006, Wunmi said she was left wondering how she found herself in such a situation.

“Why her? How did I find myself here?” she recalled.

According to the actress, she had seen herself being arrested twice in her dreams before the incident but did not pay attention to them.

Wunmi also revealed that she was facing serious financial difficulties at the time, admitting that she could not boast of N10,000 in savings.

“Maybe I allowed my love for money to get too much over me. I was actually very broke at that time… I could not boast of N10,000 in my savings,” she said.

The actress was arrested while travelling to London and was subsequently convicted and sentenced to a two-year jail term. She was released in 2008.

Reflecting on the impact of the experience on her career, Wunmi said she lost her privacy, popularity and some close relationships, adding that some people in the entertainment industry distanced themselves from her because of her status as an ex-convict.

She also recounted the painful loss of her son, who died at the age of one year and 10 days.

Wunmi said her passion for acting had led her to return to the stage just 41 days after giving birth as she tried to support her family.

According to her, the tragedy was followed by marital difficulties, as her former husband allegedly blamed her for their son’s death.

The actress had previously described the loss as one of the most painful experiences of her life, saying her son did not live long enough to witness the success she eventually achieved in theatre.

Despite the difficult experiences, Wunmi expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for preserving her life and giving her an opportunity to rebuild her career.

“Today everything is new in my life, and I’m always grateful to Almighty Allah, who actually preserved my life during my trying period,” she said.

The veteran actress also recalled the support she received from colleagues and members of the Yoruba film industry after her release, which helped her return to acting.