A woman identified as Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle a suspected psychoactive substance into the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The incident reportedly occurred during a routine screening exercise at the entrance of the custodial facility. According to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sowunmi was intercepted at about 1:33 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, while attempting to gain access to the centre.
The substance allegedly found in her possession was identified as “Colos,” a street name commonly used for certain psychoactive substances. Authorities said the substance was concealed inside a sachet of beverage powder, apparently to avoid detection by correctional officers conducting checks on visitors and packages brought into the facility.
The suspected drug was reportedly intended for her son, Dare Sowunmi, an inmate said to be on death row at the custodial centre. The circumstances surrounding the alleged attempt have not been fully disclosed, but the incident has raised renewed concerns about the efforts of some individuals to introduce prohibited substances and other contraband into correctional facilities.
The NCoS spokesperson in Ogun State, Olayinka Odukoya, reportedly confirmed the arrest. She said correctional officers became suspicious during the screening process and discovered the substance concealed in the sachet. Following the discovery, the woman was detained and the suspected substance was recovered for further examination.
Sowunmi was subsequently handed over to operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The agency is expected to conduct further investigations into the alleged offence and determine whether formal charges will be filed against her. The investigation may also establish the source of the substance, how it was obtained and whether anyone else was involved in the alleged attempt.
The arrest highlights the security challenges faced by custodial authorities in preventing the movement of illegal drugs into prisons and correctional centres. Prohibited substances can pose serious risks within custodial environments, where tensions are often high and inmates may be vulnerable to drug abuse, exploitation and violence.
Correctional facilities typically subject visitors, food items, clothing, toiletries and other packages to screening before they are allowed into the premises. Despite these measures, authorities occasionally uncover attempts to conceal drugs, mobile phones, weapons and other prohibited items in everyday objects.
The Controller of Corrections in Ogun State, Abioye Kamoru Adesina, commended the officers involved in the discovery. He praised their vigilance and attention to detail, noting that the interception demonstrated the importance of strict screening procedures at custodial facilities.
Adesina also reaffirmed the command’s zero-tolerance policy on drug trafficking and the smuggling of prohibited items into correctional centres. He warned that anyone caught attempting to introduce illegal substances or other contraband into the facilities would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The NCoS has continued to urge members of the public, particularly families and friends of inmates, to comply with established visitation rules. Visitors are expected to present only approved items and should not attempt to pass unauthorised materials to inmates. Authorities have repeatedly warned that such actions could lead to arrest, investigation and prosecution.
The alleged involvement of an inmate’s relative also underscores the difficulty correctional authorities face in balancing visitation rights with the need to maintain security. While regular contact with family members is considered important for the welfare and rehabilitation of inmates, visits can also be exploited by individuals seeking to pass prohibited items into custodial centres.
The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against Mrs Sowunmi have not been proven in court. She is presumed innocent unless and until a court of competent jurisdiction determines otherwise.
The suspected substance will likely be subjected to forensic analysis as part of the investigation. The outcome of that examination, along with statements from the suspect and other witnesses, may guide the next steps by the NDLEA and other relevant authorities.
The incident serves as a reminder that attempts to smuggle drugs into correctional facilities carry serious legal consequences. It also reinforces the need for continued cooperation between the Nigerian Correctional Service, the NDLEA and other security agencies in preventing the circulation of illegal substances within custodial environments.