A woman identified as Shobowale Balikis was arrested on Saturday, 26 September 2026, after correctional officers at the Ibara Custodial Centre in Abeokuta intercepted what they said was alcohol concealed in a bottled-water pack, the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ogun State Command, reported.
The command’s public relations officer, Olayinka Odukoya, said officials stopped Balikis at about 15:50 while she was allegedly attempting to bring the substance into the facility for an inmate. In a statement carried by national newspapers, Odukoya said the substance was identified as “Ethano” and had been disguised as drinking water.
“At about 15:50 hours today, 26th September 2026, vigilant officials at the Ibara Custodial Centre 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.”
The statement said the illicit substance was detected before it could reach the inmate population and that Balikis had been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution. The command described the officers’ actions as swift and said the incident was prevented from affecting inmates.
The Controller of Corrections for Ogun State, Abioye Adesina, reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance on smuggling into custodial centres and said the service would continue measures to protect inmates and preserve order. The command also assured the public it would intensify efforts to prevent contraband entering correctional facilities.
The reported arrest follows a recent similar case at the same facility. The NCoS had announced the arrest of Mrs Iyabo Sowunmi after she was stopped during routine screening at Ibara on 28 August 2026. That earlier incident involved suspected illicit drugs allegedly intended for her son, Dare Sowunmi, who was said to be on death row at the centre.
The account above is based on statements released by the Nigerian Correctional Service and reported by national outlets Punch and Vanguard.
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