Ibara Custodial Centre Foils Alcohol Smuggling Bid; Woman Apprehended

A woman identified as Shobowale Balikis has been taken into custody following an alleged attempt to introduce alcohol, disguised within a bottled water container, into the Ibara Custodial Centre located in Ogun State. The incident was brought to light by Olayinka Odukoya, the Public Relations Officer for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ogun State Command, in a statement released on Sunday.

According to Odukoya, correctional officers, displaying heightened vigilance, intercepted Balikis around 3:50 pm on Saturday, September 26, 2026. She was reportedly trying to deliver the illicit substance to an inmate within the facility. Odukoya detailed the encounter, stating, “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 PRO emphasized that the contraband was detected before it could reach the general inmate population. Balikis has since been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force for further inquiry and potential legal action. Odukoya further noted, “The swift action of correctional officers ensured the illicit substance was detected before it could reach the inmate population. Shobowale Balikis has since been handed over to the Nigerian Police for further investigation, with appropriate legal proceedings expected to follow.”

Reacting to the development, the Command’s Controller of Corrections, Abioye Adesina, reiterated the command's firm policy of zero-tolerance against the introduction of prohibited items into custodial facilities. Adesina highlighted that this incident underscores the service's unwavering commitment to upholding safety, discipline, and integrity across its correctional centers. He affirmed that the service remains dedicated to safeguarding inmates, maintaining order, and enforcing the rule of law. The command also assured the public of its continuous efforts to prevent the entry of contraband, thereby preserving the integrity of the correctional system.

This incident echoes a similar occurrence reported by PUNCH Online on August 31, where another woman, Mrs. Iyabo Sowunmi, was arrested. Sowunmi was allegedly attempting to smuggle suspected illicit drugs into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta, for her son, Dare Sowunmi, who is currently on death row at the facility. Odukoya confirmed that Sowunmi's arrest took place around 1:33 pm on Friday, August 28, 2026, during a routine screening process at the facility's main entrance.