Operatives of the Ibara Custodial Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have arrested a woman, Shobowale Balikis, while attempting to smuggle alcohol concealed in bottled water pack to an inmate.
The suspect was arrested on Saturday after the officers detected ethanol concealed as drinking water during a routine search.
Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ogun State Command, Odukoya O. Olayinka, confirmed the arrest in a statement made available to Daily Trust on Sunday.
He said the swift action of correctional officers ensured the illicit substance was detected before it could reach the inmate population.
Olayinka disclosed that the suspect has since been handed over to the Nigerian Police for further investigation and prosecution.
“At about 15:50 hours on 26th September 2026, vigilant officials at the Ibara Custodial Center intercepted a woman, identified as Shobowale Balikis, in an attempt to smuggle contraband into the facility.
“She was caught concealing Ethano inside a bottled water pack, disguising it as drinking water intended for an inmate.”
He quoted the Controller of Corrections, Ogun State Command, Abioye Kamoru Adesina, to have reiterated the Service zero-tolerance for smuggling into custodial centres.
Adesina said the interception shows the determination of the Service to protect inmates, preserve order and uphold the rule of law.
The Command assured the public that it remains resolute in preventing contraband infiltration and safeguarding the integrity of the correctional system.
Daily Trust reports that the latest arrest is coming about four weeks after a mother was caught at the same centre while trying to smuggle drugs to death row son.
The suspect, identified as Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi, was apprehended during routine screening at the prison’s main entrance.
Officers discovered a suspicious substance concealed inside a sachet of Milo beverage powder.
The substance was suspected to be “Colos”, a psychoactive synthetic drug
Credit to our Media Partner DailyTrust .
