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

The Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service has arrested a woman identified as Iyabo Sowunmi for allegedly attempting to take suspected illicit substances into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta. Authorities said the substance was allegedly intended for her son, Dare Sowunmi, an inmate at the facility who is reportedly on death row. The incident occurred during a routine security screening at the main entrance of the custodial centre.

According to Olayinka Odukoya, spokesperson for the Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sowunmi was arrested at approximately 1:33pm on Friday, August 28, 2026. Security personnel reportedly detected the suspicious substance during the screening process. The substance was suspected to be “Colos,” a psychoactive synthetic drug, and was allegedly concealed inside a sachet of a popular beverage powder.

The correctional service said the suspected substance was intercepted before it could be delivered to the inmate. Following the discovery, the woman was detained and subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and possible prosecution. Authorities said the handover was carried out in line with inter-agency procedures for cases involving suspected illicit substances.

The Controller of Corrections in Ogun State, Abioye Adesina, commended the personnel who detected the alleged contraband during the screening exercise. He reiterated that the correctional service maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards attempts to introduce prohibited items into custodial facilities. He also warned that individuals who attempt to compromise security within correctional centres could face legal consequences.

The incident has again highlighted the importance of security screening at custodial facilities, particularly in preventing prohibited items from reaching inmates. Investigations by the relevant authorities are expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged attempt and determine what further action should be taken. The woman remains an alleged offender at this stage and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty through the appropriate legal process.