Mother caught trying to smuggle drugs into Ogun prison

The Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service has arrested a woman. She is accused of trying to smuggle suspected illegal drugs into the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ibara, Abeokuta. The drugs were meant for her son, who is on death row in the prison.

The woman, identified as Iyabo Sowunmi, was arrested around 1:33 p.m. on Friday, August 28. This happened during a routine screening at the prison's main entrance, according to the Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The command's spokesperson, Olayinka Odukoya, said officers found a substance suspected to be "Colos." This is a psychoactive synthetic drug that was hidden inside a sachet of a popular beverage powder.

The substance was reportedly meant for her son, Dare Sowunmi, who is currently an inmate at the facility on death row. "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," Mr Odukoya said.

After the discovery, Mrs Sowunmi was detained and later handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution. "The suspect was attempting to deliver the package to an inmate, Dare Sowunmi, who is currently on death row," he added.

This incident comes as prison authorities tighten screening measures at custodial facilities. They aim to stop the entry of drugs and other banned items. The latest arrest follows a month after an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES and Nigerian Tribune raised concerns about security lapses at the same Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ibara, Abeokuta.

The investigation revealed that a convicted murderer on death row, Elijah Oyebode, had been hosting TikTok livestreams from inside the prison. He interacted with people outside and received money through the platform. The investigation also showed that inmates had access to mobile phones and internet inside the facility. There were claims that contraband, including phones and drugs, could be smuggled in with the help of some correctional officers.

After the investigation, the Nigerian Correctional Service admitted that custodial facilities could be vulnerable to contraband and staff corruption. They warned that unauthorized digital access might let inmates plan criminal activities from inside. The agency stated that it has a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct and unauthorized gadgets in custodial centres.

In response to Mrs Sowunmi's arrest, the Controller of Corrections for Ogun State Command, Abioye Adesina, praised the officers for their alertness and following security rules. "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 that compromise security," Mr Adesina said.

"Attempts to introduce contraband into our facilities will be met with swift legal action." The command also urged the public to respect the integrity of custodial institutions, warning that trying to compromise security would lead to legal consequences.