A 52-year-old man, identified as Hamisu Mamuda, has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle 12 nylon bags of suspected Indian hemp into Kurmawa Correctional Centre in Kano State.
The suspect was reportedly apprehended on April 27, 2024, by personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service attached to the facility while allegedly attempting to introduce the prohibited substance into the prison.
The Kano State Police Command disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday, April 29, 2024, through its spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.
According to the police spokesperson, Mamuda, a resident of Samegu Quarters in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, was allegedly found with 12 nylon bags containing dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp concealed inside his jacket.
Kiyawa explained that the suspect allegedly intended to sell the substance to inmates within the correctional facility.
He further disclosed that the suspect confessed to the offence during preliminary investigations and was subsequently transferred to the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The police spokesperson stated that the suspect would be charged before a court upon the completion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the incident has raised concerns about attempts to introduce illicit substances into correctional facilities and the possible consequences for inmate rehabilitation and security.
Reacting to the development, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, commended personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service attached to Kurmawa Correctional Centre for their vigilance and efforts in preventing the suspected smuggling operation.
The police commissioner also appreciated the cooperation between security agencies and other stakeholders in maintaining security across the state.
In a related development, the police command reported the arrest of a suspected notorious drug dealer, Sadam Mu’azu, popularly known as Badoo, alongside eight alleged members of his network.
The 33-year-old suspect was arrested on April 22, 2024, following complaints from residents of Tukuntawa Quarters and neighbouring communities over alleged drug distribution activities.
Police said 11 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, five motorcycles, a cutlass and N111,500 believed to be proceeds of crime were recovered during the operation.
The arrests were attributed to intelligence gathering, surveillance and cooperation between security operatives and community members.
The development also highlights the concerns of correctional authorities over the circulation of illicit drugs among inmates.
Former Controller-General of the Nigerian Prisons Service, Ja’afar(u) Ahmed, had previously warned that exposing inmates to hard drugs could undermine the rehabilitation objectives of correctional institutions.
He noted that drug exposure could cause health complications and constitute security risks to inmates and innocent people within and around correctional facilities.
The former controller-general also warned that prison personnel found assisting drug smugglers or failing to apprehend them would face disciplinary action.
The authorities have continued to emphasise the importance of maintaining discipline, strengthening security checks and preventing prohibited substances from entering custodial facilities.
The case underscores the need for sustained cooperation between correctional officers, police personnel and communities in tackling drug-related activities.
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