Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
The Nigerian Correctional Service in Oyo State has confirmed the arrest of a male visitor who allegedly attempted to smuggle suspected hard drugs into the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Agodi, Ibadan.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC O.O. Anjorin, the suspect was apprehended at approximately 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, during routine security screening at the entrance of the facility. Officers on gate duty reportedly intercepted the visitor after discovering suspicious substances concealed inside a portion of cooked rice intended for an inmate.
Preliminary examination indicated that the hidden items were suspected to be Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, and hemp. Colorado, widely regarded by law enforcement agencies in Nigeria as a potent and dangerous narcotic, has in recent years emerged as a recurring contraband item in custodial facilities and urban drug markets. Authorities say its compact form and high potency make it attractive to smuggling networks seeking to bypass standard inspection procedures.
Officials at the Agodi facility stated that the discovery was made possible through the vigilance and professionalism of correctional officers assigned to visitor screening. Routine security checks involve the physical examination of food items, personal belongings, and documentation presented by visitors seeking access to inmates. In this case, officers reportedly detected irregularities during the inspection of the packaged meal, prompting a more thorough search that led to the seizure of the concealed substances.
Further inquiry at the point of arrest revealed inconsistencies in the suspect’s explanation of his visit. Authorities indicated that the individual claimed to be visiting a specific inmate but was unable to provide consistent identifying details when questioned. This raised additional suspicion and reinforced concerns that the visit may have been orchestrated primarily to introduce prohibited substances into the custodial environment.
The Officer-in-Charge of the facility, Assistant Controller of Corrections Sunday Adekunmbi, oversaw the immediate transfer of the suspect to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation. The NDLEA is mandated to investigate and prosecute drug-related offences across Nigeria, including trafficking, possession, and distribution of controlled substances.
Officials confirmed that the handover was conducted in accordance with established inter-agency protocols. The NDLEA is expected to conduct forensic analysis on the seized substances to confirm their composition and determine appropriate charges under Nigeria’s drug control laws. If found guilty, the suspect could face prosecution and potential imprisonment, depending on the weight and classification of the substances involved.
The Controller of Corrections for Oyo State, Osogun C. Olusegun, commended the officers responsible for the interception, describing their actions as evidence of heightened alertness within custodial facilities across the state. He reiterated the Service’s commitment to maintaining strict security standards to prevent the infiltration of illicit items that could compromise inmate safety or institutional order.
Correctional authorities note that attempts to smuggle narcotics into prisons remain a persistent challenge nationwide. Such efforts are often linked to networks operating both inside and outside custodial centres. The introduction of drugs into correctional facilities can exacerbate internal security risks, fuel illicit economies among inmates, and undermine rehabilitation programmes designed to prepare inmates for reintegration into society.
In recent years, the Nigerian Correctional Service has intensified internal reforms aimed at strengthening perimeter control, visitor management systems, and staff training. Enhanced screening technologies and periodic intelligence-led searches are part of broader measures intended to curb contraband inflow. Officials say the Agodi interception demonstrates the effectiveness of these safeguards when properly implemented.
Security experts observe that food concealment remains one of the most common tactics used by individuals attempting to bypass correctional inspections. Meals brought by visitors are typically subject to detailed checks, but traffickers sometimes exploit cultural expectations surrounding family-provided food to mask illicit insertions. Authorities in Oyo State stress that all items, regardless of origin or presentation, will continue to undergo strict scrutiny.
The Oyo State Command has issued a warning to members of the public, emphasizing that custodial centres in the state operate under stringent surveillance and compliance frameworks. Any attempt to smuggle prohibited items, officials said, will be detected and met with immediate legal consequences. The Command urged citizens to cooperate with correctional authorities and to refrain from engaging in unlawful activities that could jeopardize institutional safety.
Legal analysts note that drug-related offences within correctional settings are treated with particular seriousness due to their potential to destabilize facility operations. The NDLEA’s involvement signals that the case may proceed beyond administrative handling and into formal criminal prosecution.
As investigations continue, authorities have declined to release the identity of the suspect pending formal charges. The seized substances remain in the custody of the NDLEA for laboratory verification. Correctional officials maintain that the incident has not disrupted normal operations at the Agodi facility and that security measures remain fully operational.
The arrest underscores the ongoing efforts by correctional and drug enforcement agencies to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s custodial system. While isolated attempts to breach security persist, officials insist that vigilance, inter-agency cooperation, and strict adherence to protocol remain central to preventing the infiltration of contraband into correctional institutions.
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