The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says its officers stopped an attempt to sneak illicit substances into the Kuje custodial centre in the federal capital territory (FCT).
Samson Duza, spokesperson of the FCT command, said in a statement on Monday that the incident happened around 12:45 pm on Saturday during a routine search.
The suspect, identified as Njimogu Ikedi, allegedly concealed substances believed to be cannabis sativa and other psychoactive drugs in his clothes while trying to visit an inmate.
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Duza said Christopher Jen, controller of corrections in the FCT, immediately ordered the arrest of the suspect, who has since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for investigation and prosecution.
Jen warned visitors with “ulterior motives” to stay away from the custodial centre, stressing that vigilant officers would always uncover such acts. He also appealed to the public to support the service in its mission of reforming and rehabilitating offenders.
This is not the first time such an attempt has been made. Over a year ago, a woman was arrested at the same facility for trying to smuggle drugs disguised in food packs, which she claimed were meant for an inmate.