Woman detained in Nigeria on suspicion of trying to smuggle drugs into prison
In Ogun State in southwestern Nigeria, Iyabo Sowunmi was detained on suspicion of attempting to bring into the medium-security custodial facility in Ibara, Abeokuta, a substance that law enforcement officials believe to be narcotic. According to Premium Times Nigeria, the package was allegedly intended for her son, Dare Sowunmi, who is on death row at the facility.
Substance found during inspection
According to the Ogun State command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the woman was detained on August 28 at about 13:33 during a routine inspection at the facility’s main entrance.
Command spokesperson Olayinka Odukoya said that officers found a substance believed to be a synthetic psychoactive drug known as Colos. According to him, it was hidden in a sachet of a popular powdered drink.
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After her detention, Iyabo Sowunmi was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and criminal prosecution, Odukoya said.
Facility security context
The detention occurred about a month after a joint investigation by Premium Times Nigeria and the Nigerian Tribune into possible security breaches at the same facility in Ibara. The outlets reported that Elijah Oyebode, who was convicted of murder and is also on death row, conducted live broadcasts on TikTok from his place of imprisonment and received monetary gifts through the platform.
Following the investigation, the Nigerian Correctional Service acknowledged the vulnerability of detention facilities to the entry of contraband and possible violations by staff. Abioye Adesina, head of the service’s command in Ogun State, said the agency follows a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal drug trafficking and actions that may threaten facility security.
