Woman Arrested With ‘Colos’ Hidden In Beverage Sachet For Death-Row Son In Ogun Prison

A woman identified as Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi has been arrested by the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Ogun State for allegedly attempting to smuggle a suspected psychoactive substance into a custodial facility for her son, who is on death row.

Sowunmi was intercepted during routine security screening at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta, where her son, Dare Sowunmi, is being held.

The suspected substance, believed to be the synthetic psychoactive drug popularly known as “Colos,” was allegedly concealed inside a sachet of a popular beverage powder in an attempt to evade detection.

The NCoS spokesperson in Ogun State, Olayinka Odukoya, disclosed the development in a statement on Sunday.

According to Odukoya, correctional officers became suspicious during the routine screening of visitors at the facility’s main entrance and discovered the substance concealed in the beverage sachet.

He said Mrs Sowunmi was immediately detained following the discovery.

“The 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,” Odukoya said.

He added that preliminary findings indicated that the substance was allegedly intended for Dare Sowunmi, an inmate on death row at the facility.

Following her arrest, the suspect was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The development has again highlighted the security challenges faced by correctional authorities in preventing the introduction of prohibited items, including drugs, into custodial facilities.

The Controller of Corrections, Ogun State Command, Abioye Adesina, commended the officers involved in the interception for their vigilance and adherence to established security procedures.

Adesina said the command would continue to maintain strict measures to prevent the trafficking of drugs and other contraband into correctional facilities.

“Our custodial facilities exist to ensure public safety, reformation, and rehabilitation,” he said.

He stressed that the command operates an “absolute zero-tolerance policy” towards drug trafficking and other activities capable of compromising the security of custodial centres.

Adesina warned that anyone attempting to smuggle prohibited items into correctional facilities would face the consequences of the law.

The Ogun State Command also urged members of the public to comply with security regulations whenever visiting custodial centres, stressing that efforts to compromise the safety and integrity of the facilities would not be tolerated.