Ogun woman arrested allegedly smuggling ‘Colos’ to death-row son

A woman allegedly tried to pass suspected synthetic drugs to her son on death row at a custodial centre in Abeokuta, Nigerian officials said.

Iyabo Sowunmi was arrested at about 1:33 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, during routine screening at the main entrance of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ibara. Officers allegedly found a substance believed to be “Colos,” a psychoactive synthetic drug, hidden inside a sachet of beverage powder.

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At approximately 1:33pm on Friday, August 28, 2026, routine screening procedures at the facility’s main entry point led to the detection of suspicious substances, believed to be the psychoactive synthetic drug commonly known as ‘Colos,’ concealed within a sachet of a popular beverage powder.

The package was allegedly meant for Dare Sowunmi, an inmate at the facility who is said to be on death row. After the interception, correctional officers detained his mother and handed her to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for investigation and possible prosecution.

Ogun State Controller of Corrections Abioye Adesina praised the officers’ vigilance and said the service maintained zero tolerance for drug trafficking and other acts that could compromise security. “Attempts to introduce contraband into our facilities will be met with swift legal action,” he said.

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Attempts to introduce contraband into our facilities will be met with swift legal action.