Ogun: Mother Arrested for Smuggling Drugs into Prison for Son on Death Row

The Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service has arrested a woman, Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi, for allegedly attempting to smuggle suspected illicit drugs into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta, for her son, Dare Sowunmi, who is said to be on death row at the facility.

The spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ogun State Command, Olayinka Odukoya, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Odukoya said Sowunmi was arrested at about 1:33 pm on Friday, August 28, 2026, during a routine screening at the facility’s main entrance.

He said the substance, suspected to be “Colos”, a psychoactive synthetic drug, was concealed in a sachet of a popular beverage powder and was allegedly intended for the inmate.

He mentioned that the suspect had reportedly visited an inmate, who is classified as an inmate on death row, when correctional officers discovered a sachet of Milo beverage allegedly containing substances suspected to be “colos.”

According to the statement, the suspected contraband was detected during the standard screening process at the main gate.

“The discovery underscored the vigilance of our personnel and our commitment to preventing illicit substances and other prohibited items from entering custodial facilities.

Following her arrest, she was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and possible prosecution, in accordance with established procedures.

The Controller of Corrections, Ogun State Command, Kamoru Adesina, commended the officers involved in the arrest for their alertness and professionalism”

He also reiterated the Service’s zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking and other criminal activities within custodial facilities.

“He stressed that correctional centres were established for the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates and should not be allowed to become channels for the circulation of illicit substances.

The command warned members of the public against attempting to compromise the security of correctional facilities through the introduction of prohibited items.”he said.

He added that anyone found engaging in such acts would be dealt with in accordance with the law.”