The Ondo State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service has intercepted an attempt to smuggle illicit drugs into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Akure, after officers discovered about four grams of Indian hemp concealed inside fresh tomatoes during a routine gate search.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Chief Superintendent of Corrections and Command Public Relations Officer, Oyewole Akinwumi, said the drugs were “carefully wrapped in water-tight nylon with the intention of delivering it to an inmate in custody.”
The suspects were immediately apprehended and handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution, in line with directives from the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche.
The Controller of Corrections, Ondo State Command, CC Oyewole Charles (JP), commended the officers for their professionalism and vigilance. He stated, “We remain unwavering in our commitment to maintaining secure and humane custodial facilities, while ensuring that all forms of trafficking in illicit substances are decisively stamped out of the correctional system nationwide.”
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The Command also issued a stern warning to the public, particularly visitors to custodial centres, that any attempt to compromise the security and safety of facilities will not be tolerated, whether from within or outside the custodial walls.
This incident follows a similar case in Kano State, where the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kano Command, arrested two suspects, Usman Khalid, 25, and Bello Musa Ahmed, 24, for attempting to smuggle Indian hemp to inmates at the Nomansland court complex.
