Ogun State Woman Arrested for Smuggling Ethanol into Prison

Shobowale Balikis was intercepted by officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ogun State Command, on September 26, 2026, at approximately 3:50 p.m. while allegedly attempting to smuggle ethanol concealed in a bottled-water pack intended for an inmate at the Ibara Custodial Centre in Abeokuta. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Odukoya Olayinka, confirmed the arrest, stating that the swift action of correctional officers prevented the contraband from reaching inmates.

Balikis has been handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation. Abioye Kamoru Adesina, the Controller of Corrections for Ogun State Command, reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance policy towards smuggling.

This incident follows another arrest on August 28, 2026, of Iyabo Sowunmi, who attempted to smuggle illicit drugs into the same facility. These arrests come in the wake of a Nigerian Tribune investigation revealing security breaches at Ibara, including a convicted murderer, Elijah Oyebode, operating TikTok Live sessions from his cell and disclosing contraband smuggling facilitated by some correctional officers.