What appeared to be an ordinary visit to an inmate at a custodial centre in Ogun State reportedly took a dramatic turn when correctional officers discovered substances suspected to be a psychoactive drug hidden inside a sachet of beverage.
The visitor was arrested during a routine security screening at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta, on Friday, August 28, 2026.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the lengths individuals may go to in attempts to smuggle prohibited substances into correctional facilities, where security checks are designed to prevent inmates from accessing contraband.
The Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed the arrest in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Odukoya Olayinka.
The discovery at the prison gate
According to the Service, the incident occurred at about 1:33pm when the woman arrived at the facility to visit an inmate who is currently on death row.
As part of the centre’s mandatory entry procedures, officers subjected her belongings to routine screening.
It was during the process, the Service said, that officers discovered a sachet of Milo containing substances suspected to be “colos”, a street term commonly associated with a psychoactive substance.
What might have passed as an ordinary item brought by a visitor therefore became the subject of a security investigation.
The woman was subsequently arrested and handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Correctional Service said the development underscored the importance of maintaining strict security protocols around custodial facilities, particularly in preventing drugs and other prohibited materials from reaching inmates.
“Following her arrest, she was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and possible prosecution, in accordance with established procedures,” the statement said.
Correctional officers commended
The Controller of Corrections, Ogun State Command, Kamoru Adesina, praised the officers involved in the discovery.
Adesina described their response as evidence of vigilance and professionalism, stressing that preventing contraband from entering correctional facilities remained a key part of the Service’s responsibilities.
He also reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance towards drug trafficking and other criminal activities within custodial centres.
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According to him, prisons and other correctional facilities are intended to provide environments where inmates can undergo rehabilitation and reform.
Allowing illicit drugs to circulate inside such facilities, he noted, could undermine that objective.
Warning to visitors
The Ogun Command subsequently warned members of the public against attempting to exploit visits to inmates as a means of introducing prohibited items into custodial centres.
The warning comes as correctional authorities continue to rely on screening procedures at entry points to detect items that could threaten the safety, discipline and rehabilitation of inmates.
The command said anyone caught attempting to compromise the security of its facilities would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The latest incident also highlights a less visible challenge facing custodial authorities: keeping illicit substances out of facilities does not end at securing the walls. It also depends heavily on what enters through the gates — including items that may appear harmless at first glance.
For correctional officers, the discovery is a reminder that routine screening remains one of the most important safeguards between a controlled custodial environment and the networks outside it.