A woman identified as Shobowale Balikis has been arrested by the Nigerian Correctional Service for allegedly attempting to smuggle alcohol into the Ibara Custodial Centre in Ogun State. According to the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ogun State Command, Olayinka Odukoya, Balikis was intercepted at about 3:50 pm on Saturday while trying to take the substance into the custodial centre for an inmate. The alcohol was concealed in a bottled water pack.
The substance was detected before it could reach the inmates, and Balikis has been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution. Odukoya stated that the swift action of correctional officers ensured the illicit substance was detected before it could reach the inmate population. This incident demonstrates the commitment of the service to maintaining safety, discipline, and integrity within custodial facilities.
The Controller of Corrections, Abioye Adesina, noted that the command maintains a zero-tolerance stance on the smuggling of contraband into custodial centres. He added that the service would continue to protect inmates, preserve order, and uphold the rule of law. The command assured the public that it would continue efforts to prevent the infiltration of contraband into custodial facilities and safeguard the integrity of the correctional system.
This is not the first incident of its kind at the Ibara Custodial Centre. On August 31, a woman, Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi, was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle suspected illicit drugs into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta, for her son, Dare Sowunmi, who is on death row at the facility. Sowunmi was arrested at about 1:33 pm on Friday, August 28, 2026, during a routine screening at the facility’s main entrance.
The Nigerian Correctional Service has been working to prevent the smuggling of contraband into custodial facilities. The service has been vigilant in its efforts to maintain safety and discipline within the facilities. The arrest of Balikis and Sowunmi demonstrates the service's commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting inmates.
The incident has raised concerns about the security of custodial facilities in Nigeria. The Nigerian Correctional Service has assured the public that it is working to prevent the infiltration of contraband into custodial facilities. The service has also urged the public to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
The arrested woman, Shobowale Balikis, is currently being investigated by the Nigeria Police Force. The police are expected to conduct further investigations and possibly prosecute Balikis. The incident has highlighted the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Nigeria Police Force to prevent the smuggling of contraband into custodial facilities.
Key points
- The Nigerian Correctional Service has arrested a woman for attempting to smuggle alcohol into the Ibara Custodial Centre in Ogun State.
- The service has maintained a zero-tolerance stance on the smuggling of contraband into custodial centres.
- This incident is not the first of its kind at the Ibara Custodial Centre, with a similar incident occurring on August 31.
