A woman has been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle suspected illicit drugs into the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The suspect, identified as Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi, was arrested on Friday during routine screening at the prison’s main entrance.
Officials reportedly found a suspicious substance hidden inside a sachet of Milo beverage powder. The substance is suspected to be “Colos”, a psychoactive synthetic drug.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Ogun State confirmed the arrest on Monday.
The command’s spokesperson, Odukoya Olayinka, said Sowunmi was allegedly trying to deliver the package to an inmate, Dare Sowunmi, who is on death row.
Olayinka also confirmed tothat the suspect is the mother of the inmate.
“At approximately 1:33 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, 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’, concealed within a sachet of a popular beverage powder.
“The suspect was attempting to deliver the package to an inmate, Dare Sowunmi, who is currently on death row,” the NCoS said.
Olayinka said Mrs Sowunmi was detained after the substance was discovered and later handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for investigation and prosecution.
The Controller of Corrections in Ogun State, Abioye Kamoru Adesina, praised the officers for their alertness and compliance with security procedures.
“Our custodial facilities exist to ensure public safety, reformation, and rehabilitation. We maintain an absolute zero-tolerance policy for drug trafficking or any illegal acts designed to compromise security,” Adesina stated.
“Attempts to introduce contraband into our facilities will be met with swift legal action.”
Olayinka also urged members of the public to respect “the integrity of custodial institutions”, warning that anyone who attempts to compromise prison security would face the full force of the law.
