By Ademola Ade
A female visitor, identified as Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi, has been arrested by the Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for allegedly attempting to smuggle suspected illicit drugs into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta.
Sowunmi was arrested at about 1:33 p.m. on Friday during routine screening at the facility’s main entrance after correctional officers reportedly discovered suspicious substances concealed inside a 1kg sachet of Milo beverage powder.
The substance is suspected to be “Colos,” a psychoactive synthetic drug.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Odukoya Olayinka, who confirmed the incident to journalists yesterday, said the suspect allegedly intended to deliver the package to an inmate, Dare Sowunmi, who is currently on death row at the custodial centre.
According to him, the woman was immediately detained and later handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Reacting to the development, the State Controller of Corrections, Abioye Adesina, commended the correctional officers for their vigilance and adherence to established security protocols.
Adesina reaffirmed the Command’s zero-tolerance policy on drug trafficking and the introduction of contraband into custodial facilities.
He warned that anyone caught attempting to compromise the security of correctional facilities by introducing prohibited substances would face the full weight of the law.
“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.
“Any attempt to introduce contraband into our facilities will be met with swift legal action,” Adesina stated.
The Correctional Service urged members of the public to respect the integrity of custodial institutions and comply with established rules and security procedures when visiting inmates.
