Woman Arrested for Allegedly Smuggling Drugs to Son on Death Row in Ogun Prison

A woman has been arrested by the Nigerian Correctional Service for allegedly attempting to smuggle suspected illicit drugs into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State, for her son, who is on death row. The suspect, identified as Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi, was reportedly intercepted during a routine security screening at the entrance of the custodial facility on Friday, August 28, 2026. According to the Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the incident occurred at about 1:33pm when officers conducting routine checks detected a suspicious substance concealed in a sachet of beverage powder. The substance was suspected to be “Colos,” a psychoactive synthetic drug. The package was allegedly intended for Sowunmi’s son, Dare Sowunmi, who is currently an inmate on death row at the facility. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Odukoya, disclosed the development in a statement on Monday. Odukoya said the officers detected the suspected contraband during the screening process before it could be taken into the custodial area. He explained that following the discovery, the woman was immediately detained and subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and possible prosecution. The development comes amid continued efforts by correctional authorities to prevent the introduction of illicit drugs and other prohibited items into custodial facilities across the country. Reacting to the arrest, the Ogun State Controller of Corrections, Abioye Adesina, commended the officers involved in the screening for their vigilance and adherence to established security procedures. Adesina reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking and other activities capable of compromising security within correctional centres. He stressed that custodial facilities were established not only to keep inmates in secure custody but also to support their reformation and rehabilitation. Allowing illicit substances into such facilities, he noted, could undermine those objectives and create additional security challenges. The command also warned members of the public against attempting to compromise the security of custodial institutions by introducing prohibited items. It maintained that individuals caught engaging in such activities would face appropriate legal action. The case has now been transferred to the NDLEA, which is expected to investigate the suspected substance and determine the next steps in accordance with the law. The arrest also highlights the importance of routine screening at correctional facilities, particularly as authorities continue to strengthen measures aimed at preventing drugs and other contraband from reaching inmates. For now, the allegation remains subject to investigation, and the suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.