By AnchorNews

ABEOKUTA - A woman identified as Shobowale Balikis has been arrested by officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ogun State Command, for allegedly attempting to smuggle alcohol into the Ibara Custodial Centre for an inmate.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Olayinka Odukoya, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to Odukoya, correctional officers intercepted Balikis at about 3:50pm on Saturday, September 26, 2026, while she was allegedly attempting to take the substance into the custodial facility.

He said the woman allegedly concealed the substance, identified as Ethanol, inside a bottled water pack in an attempt to disguise it as drinking water intended for an inmate.

Odukoya said the substance was detected before it could reach the inmate population, adding that the suspect had subsequently been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He said the prompt intervention of the correctional officers prevented the contraband from entering the facility.

The Controller of Corrections, Ogun State Command, Abioye Adesina, reaffirmed the command's zero-tolerance policy towards the smuggling of contraband into custodial centres.

Adesina said the incident underscored the commitment of the Correctional Service to maintaining safety, discipline and integrity within its facilities.

He added that the command would continue to take measures to protect inmates, preserve order and uphold the rule of law.

The command also assured members of the public that it would sustain efforts to prevent the infiltration of prohibited substances and other contraband into custodial facilities.

The latest incident comes less than a month after another woman, Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi, was reportedly arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle suspected illicit drugs into the Ibara custodial facility for her son, Dare Sowunmi, who was said to be on death row.