The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Kano State Command, has arrested a 20-year-old man for allegedly attempting to smuggle Indian hemp into a custodial facility located within the Kano High Court premises.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Musbahu Lawan-Kofarnasarawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Kano.
He said the suspect, a resident of Tishama Hotoro Quarters, Kano, was apprehended by officers from the Goron Dutse Custodial Centre while inmates were being escorted to court for their hearings.
“During the exercise, 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,” Lawan-Kofarnasarawa stated.
According to the statement, the Controller of Corrections in Kano State, Ado Inuwa, has ordered that the suspect be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Inuwa commended the Officer-in-Charge of the Goron Dutse Custodial Centre, ACC Kafilu Abdullahi, and other officers involved for their professionalism and vigilance in preventing the infiltration of illicit substances into custodial facilities.
He reiterated the Service’s commitment to maintaining safe, secure and drug-free custodial environments across the state.
The Controller also urged members of the public, particularly parents and guardians, to caution their wards against engaging in criminal activities.
He reaffirmed the mandate of the Nigerian Correctional Service, stressing that it remains committed to the reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the command recently foiled a similar attempt to smuggle illicit substances into a custodial centre, as part of ongoing efforts to curb crime and strengthen security in correctional facilities.