Drama at Ogun Prison Gate as Woman Allegedly Caught Smuggling ‘Colos’ to Death-Row Inmate
There was a security scare at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State, after a woman was allegedly caught attempting to smuggle a substance suspected to be “colos,” a psychoactive drug, into the facility for an inmate on death row.
The woman, identified as Mrs. Iyabo Sowunmi, was arrested by operatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service during a routine screening exercise at the custodial centre.
Global Mirror News gathered that the incident occurred on Friday, August 28, 2026, at about 1:33 p.m., when Sowunmi arrived at the correctional facility purportedly to visit an inmate.
The inmate she reportedly came to see was identified as Dare Sowunmi, who is being held as an inmate on death row (IDR).
According to the Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the suspected contraband was discovered when correctional officers subjected the visitor to the mandatory screening process at the facility’s main gate.
During the screening, officers reportedly discovered a sachet of Milo beverage containing a substance suspected to be “colos” in her possession.
The discovery immediately raised the alarm, leading to the woman’s arrest.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ogun State Command, Olayinka Odukoya, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Abeokuta.
Odukoya explained that the suspected drug was detected during the routine screening of visitors, stressing that the discovery demonstrated the vigilance and professionalism of the correctional officers on duty.
He said the screening procedures remain an important component of security measures designed to prevent prohibited items and substances from gaining access to custodial facilities.
According to him, the suspect was immediately taken into custody following the discovery.
“Mrs. Sowunmi was immediately arrested and, in line with established protocols, handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution,” Odukoya said.
Global Mirror News reports that the handover to the NDLEA means that further investigation will be carried out to establish the nature of the substance allegedly recovered from the suspect and determine whether criminal charges should follow.
The development comes amid continued efforts by correctional authorities to prevent the smuggling of drugs, weapons and other prohibited items into custodial centres.
The Controller of Corrections, Ogun State Command, Abioye Adesina, commended the officers involved in the discovery for their vigilance and commitment to maintaining security within the facility.
Adesina reiterated the Nigerian Correctional Service’s zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking and other criminal activities within its custodial facilities.
He emphasised that correctional centres are established for the safe custody, reformation and rehabilitation of offenders and should not be turned into environments where criminal activities are facilitated.
According to him, allowing illicit drugs and other prohibited materials into correctional facilities could undermine the rehabilitation process and create additional security challenges for both inmates and correctional personnel.
Adesina therefore warned members of the public against attempting to compromise the security arrangements at custodial centres.
He urged visitors to strictly comply with all rules and regulations governing visits to inmates, particularly the requirement for visitors and their belongings to undergo security screening before gaining access to the facilities.
The Controller further warned that individuals who attempt to smuggle prohibited substances or other contraband into correctional centres would face the consequences of their actions under the law.
He said the Service would continue to strengthen security measures around custodial facilities to prevent the introduction of items capable of threatening the safety, order and integrity of the centres.
The latest incident highlights the critical role of routine screening at correctional facilities, as prohibited substances can potentially be concealed among seemingly ordinary items brought by visitors.
For now, the suspected substance has been handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agency, while the investigation is expected to determine its composition, source and intended purpose.
Global Mirror News reports that the woman remains subject to investigation, and any further legal action will depend on the outcome of the NDLEA’s investigation.
The Nigerian Correctional Service has again urged members of the public to respect the rules guiding visits to correctional centres and avoid any act capable of compromising the security of custodial institutions.
