A woman has been arrested by the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Ogun State after she allegedly attempted to take suspected illicit drugs into a custodial facility in Abeokuta.
The woman, identified as Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi, was reportedly intercepted during a routine security screening at the entrance of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta.
According to the NCoS spokesperson in Ogun State, Olayinka Odukoya, the incident occurred at about 1:33 pm on Friday, August 28, 2026.
Odukoya said officers discovered a substance suspected to be “Colos,” a psychoactive synthetic drug, during the screening process.
The substance was allegedly concealed inside a sachet of a popular beverage powder in an attempt to get it into the correctional facility.
Suspected Drug Allegedly Meant for Inmate
The correctional service said the substance was allegedly intended for Sowunmi’s son, Dare Sowunmi, who is being held at the facility and is reportedly on death row.
Following the discovery, officers detained the woman and seized the suspected substance.
Odukoya said the suspect was subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The handover is expected to allow the relevant authorities to conduct a detailed examination of the substance and determine whether any offence was committed.
Correctional Service Commends Officers
The Controller of Corrections, Ogun State Command, Abioye Adesina, praised the officers involved in the interception for maintaining vigilance during the screening process.
Adesina stressed that the correctional service would not tolerate attempts to introduce drugs or other prohibited items into custodial facilities.
He said the primary responsibilities of correctional institutions include protecting the public while supporting the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.
The controller warned that individuals who attempt to compromise security within correctional centres would face legal consequences.
NCoS Warns Against Contraband
The incident has once again highlighted the security challenges faced by custodial facilities, particularly efforts to prevent prohibited substances and other contraband from reaching inmates.
Routine screening at prison entrances is designed to detect items that could threaten the safety of inmates, correctional officers and visitors.
Authorities have urged members of the public visiting correctional facilities to comply with established security procedures.
The investigation by the appropriate authorities is expected to establish the nature of the substance recovered and determine what further legal action may follow.
Mrs Sowunmi remains an alleged suspect in the case, and the allegations against her have not been established as a criminal conviction.
