A woman, Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi, has been arrested by the Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service for allegedly attempting to smuggle suspected illicit drugs into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta, for her son, Dare Sowunmi, who is on death row.
The incident occurred at about 1:33pm on Friday, August 28, 2026, during routine screening at the main entrance of the custodial facility.
The command’s spokesperson, Olayinka Odukoya, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Monday, saying the substance suspected to be “Colos”, a psychoactive synthetic drug, was concealed inside a sachet of a popular beverage powder.
According to Odukoya, the package was allegedly intended for Dare, who is currently being held at the facility.
“Routine screening procedures at the facility’s main entry point led to the detection of suspicious substances, believed to be the psychoactive synthetic drug commonly known as ‘Colos’,” Odukoya said.
He added that Sowunmi was immediately detained following the interception and subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for investigation and prosecution.
Reacting to the development, the Controller of Corrections, Ogun State Command, Abioye Adesina, commended the officers for their vigilance and strict adherence to security procedures.
Adesina said the correctional facilities were established to protect the public while providing opportunities for reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.
He warned that the command would maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking and other activities capable of compromising security within custodial centres.
He further cautioned members of the public against attempting to introduce prohibited items into correctional facilities, stressing that such acts would attract legal consequences.
