Death-Row Inmate’s Mother Caught Smuggling Drugs Into Ogun Prison

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has arrested a woman, Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi, for allegedly attempting to smuggle a psychoactive substance into the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Sowunmi was arrested on Friday, August 28, 2026, during routine screening at the main entrance of the custodial facility.

According to the NCoS, correctional officers discovered a suspicious substance concealed inside a sachet of Milo beverage powder during the screening.

The substance was suspected to be “Colos”, a psychoactive synthetic drug.

The Ogun State Command spokesperson of the NCoS, Odukoya Olayinka, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Monday.

He said the package was allegedly intended for an inmate, Dare Sowunmi, who is currently on death row at the facility.

Olayinka also confirmed that the suspect is the inmate’s mother.

“At approximately 1:33 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, 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,” the statement said.

“The suspect was attempting to deliver the package to an inmate, Dare Sowunmi, who is currently on death row.”

Following the discovery, the woman was detained and subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Controller of Corrections, Ogun State Command, Abioye Kamoru Adesina, commended the officers involved in the interception.

“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.

“Attempts to introduce contraband into our facilities will be met with swift legal action,” Adesina said, according to Olayinka.

The command urged members of the public to respect the rules governing custodial facilities, warning that attempts to compromise prison security would attract legal consequences.

The arrest comes weeks after the Ibara custodial centre came under public scrutiny following revelations that a death-row inmate, Elijah Oyebode, had allegedly been using smuggled smartphones to livestream from inside his cell.

Oyebode, who was convicted of murder and sentenced to death, was reportedly using the devices to broadcast live sessions on TikTok, solicit monetary gifts and place bets on sporting events.

The revelations, contained in an investigative report, triggered public outrage and renewed concerns over security breaches and the smuggling of prohibited items into correctional facilities.

Following the controversy, the NCoS removed the Officer-in-Charge of the facility and two other senior officials.

Oyebode was also transferred to another custodial facility where the service said he would be subjected to enhanced security and monitoring.