Mother Arrested for Smuggling Drugs to Death Row Son

On August 28, 2026, Mrs. Iyabo Sowunmi was apprehended during routine screening at the main entrance of a prison in Ogun State while attempting to deliver a package containing a suspicious substance concealed inside a sachet of Milo beverage powder. The substance is suspected to be “Colos,” a psychoactive synthetic drug.

Odukoya Olayinka, spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), confirmed that the package was intended for her son, Dare Sowunmi, who is currently on death row. Following the interception, Mrs. Sowunmi was detained and subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

Abioye Kamoru Adesina, Controller of Corrections for Ogun State, commended the security personnel for their vigilance and reiterated the NCoS's zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking and contraband in custodial facilities. This incident follows a recent scandal involving another death row inmate, Elijah Oyebode, who conducted TikTok livestreams from prison.