The Nigerian Correctional Service in Kano State has arrested two young men for allegedly trying to smuggle illicit drugs to inmates at a court complex in the state.
The suspects, identified as Usman Khalid, 25, and Bello Musa Ahmed, 24, were arrested at the Nomansland court premises while attempting to deliver Indian hemp and other illegal substances to inmates standing trial.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, CSC Musbahu Kofar-Nassarawa, said the suspects were apprehended by officers attached to the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Goron Dutse.
“The suspects were arrested by NCoS officials attached to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Goron Dutse, Kano, while trying to throw Indian hemp to inmates at the court premises,” he said.
Kofar-Nassarawa warned members of the public to desist from interacting with inmates, particularly during their movement to and from court, stressing that such actions pose serious security risks.
He said, “Intermingling with inmates during court sittings is a serious security breach and is punishable by law. The Nigerian Correctional Service is committed to rehabilitating and reforming inmates and will not tolerate attempts to undermine this mandate.”
According to him, the Controller of Corrections in Kano State, Ado Inuwa, has ordered that the suspects and the recovered substances be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.
“The Controller has directed the Legal Unit and the Intelligence Unit to immediately transfer the suspects and the seized drugs to the NDLEA,” the statement added.
The command reaffirmed its zero tolerance for drug-related activities within custodial centres and court environments and urged residents to cooperate with security agencies to help maintain law and order across the state.
