The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has arrested a woman for allegedly attempting to smuggle a substance suspected to be an illicit psychoactive drug into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta, for her son, who is on death row.

The suspect, identified as Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi, was arrested at about 1:33 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, during routine screening at the entrance of the custodial facility, according to the Ogun State Command of the NCoS.

The Service said officers detected a suspicious substance believed to be “Colos,” a psychoactive synthetic drug, concealed inside a sachet of a popular beverage powder.

According to the NCoS, the substance was allegedly intended for an inmate identified as Dare Sowunmi, who is currently on death row at the facility.

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

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

Adesina said the Correctional Service maintained a zero-tolerance policy toward drug trafficking and other activities capable of compromising the security of custodial facilities.

The latest incident comes weeks after the Ibara custodial centre attracted national attention following revelations that a death-row inmate had allegedly been able to use a mobile phone to host TikTok livestreams while in custody. The NCoS subsequently removed the officer in charge of the facility and two other senior officers and transferred the inmate to another custodial centre under enhanced security.

The new arrest is expected to further draw attention to security controls governing visitors, inmates and prohibited items entering custodial facilities.

The allegation against Mrs Sowunmi remains subject to investigation, and the suspected substance will be subject to appropriate examination by the relevant authorities. Her arrest does not in itself establish guilt.