Get Guardian on GoogleA woman, Shobowale Balikis, has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle alcohol disguised as bottled water into the Ibara Custodial Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Balikis was intercepted by officials of the centre at about 3:50pm on Saturday during a routine search, after officers discovered ethanol concealed in a bottled-water pack.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, Odukoya Olayinka, confirmed the incident, saying the substance was detected before it could reach the inmate population.
According to him, “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 ethanol inside a bottled-water pack, disguising it as drinking water intended for an inmate .”
He added that the suspect had been handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Olayinka quoted the Controller of Corrections, Ogun State Command, Abioye Kamoru Adesina, as reaffirming the Nigeria Correctional Service’s zero-tolerance policy towards the smuggling of contraband into custodial facilities.
Adesina said the interception underscored the service’s commitment to maintaining security, preserving order and upholding the rule of law within custodial centres.
The command also assured the public that it would continue to prevent the infiltration of contraband and safeguard the integrity of the correctional system.
