The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Kano State Command, has successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle Indian hemp into a custodial facility at the Kano High Court, arresting a 20-year-old man in the process. The incident underscores the ongoing challenge of preventing drugs and contraband from entering correctional institutions across Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Musbahu Lawan-Kofarnasarawa, the suspect, a resident of Tishama Hotoro Quarters in Kano, was apprehended by officers from the Goron Dutse Custodial Centre while inmates were being escorted to court for their various hearings.
“The suspect was found to have concealed a substance suspected to be Indian hemp inside a loaf of bread, which he allegedly intended to hand over to an inmate during court proceedings,” the statement read.
The arrested man is currently in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service and has been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution. This step was ordered by the Controller of Corrections in Kano State, Ado Inuwa.
In a follow-up statement, Inuwa commended the Officer-in-Charge of the Goron Dutse Custodial Centre, ACC Kafilu Abdullahi, and other personnel involved for their professionalism, vigilance, and dedication in preventing the infiltration of illicit substances into custodial centres. He described the arrest as a demonstration of the commitment of the Nigerian Correctional Service to maintaining safe, secure, and drug-free custodial environments across the state.
He also urged members of the public, especially parents and guardians, to caution their wards against engaging in criminal activities that could result in arrest, prosecution, or imprisonment. Inuwa emphasized that the primary mandate of the NCoS is to reform, rehabilitate, and reintegrate offenders into society, and that the presence of drugs in custodial centres undermines these objectives.
Drug smuggling into prisons and custodial facilities has long been a challenge in Nigeria. Offenders and their associates sometimes attempt to smuggle substances into correctional centres using creative methods, including concealed packages in food, clothing, or other everyday items. Such attempts not only jeopardize the safety of inmates and staff but also threaten the overall security and order within the facilities.
The Nigerian Correctional Service, formerly known as the Nigerian Prisons Service, operates under the mandate of the Ministry of Interior. Its primary objectives include the custody, rehabilitation, and reintegration of offenders, while ensuring a safe and secure environment in all its facilities nationwide. The Service has intensified efforts in recent years to clamp down on illicit activities, including drug smuggling, within correctional centres.
The recent incident at the Kano High Court is not an isolated case. The command previously foiled a similar attempt to smuggle illicit substances into a custodial centre, highlighting the persistent challenges posed by individuals attempting to circumvent security measures. According to sources, such attempts often coincide with court dates, when inmates are temporarily moved outside correctional facilities, creating potential opportunities for contraband to be introduced.
NCoS officers are trained to detect and intercept such threats. In the Kano incident, the officers’ vigilance prevented what could have been a serious breach of custodial security. By inspecting packages and closely monitoring the interactions between visitors and inmates, the correctional staff managed to prevent the smuggling of illegal substances that could have disrupted the rehabilitation and security processes in the custodial facility.
The NDLEA, which now has custody of the arrested suspect, will investigate the source of the Indian hemp, its intended recipient, and any accomplices involved. NDLEA’s intervention in such cases ensures that offenders face criminal charges for drug trafficking, reinforcing Nigeria’s strict anti-drug laws.
The Kano High Court incident also serves as a warning to those who may attempt to exploit judicial processes or the temporary movement of inmates for criminal purposes. Authorities insist that any attempt to smuggle contraband into custodial centres will be met with strict enforcement, including arrest, prosecution, and possible imprisonment.
The NCoS has called on the public to cooperate with correctional staff by reporting suspicious activities near custodial centres and court premises. Such cooperation is seen as vital in maintaining the integrity of correctional facilities and supporting the government’s ongoing efforts to combat crime, drug abuse, and corruption.
As the Nigerian Correctional Service continues to strengthen its security protocols and preventive measures, incidents like the Kano case demonstrate both the persistent threat posed by criminal elements and the effectiveness of proactive law enforcement.