Man arrested over attempt to smuggle hemp into Kano prison

The Nigerian Correctional Service, Kano State Command, says it foiled an attempt to smuggle suspected Indian hemp into the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kurmawa, in Kano.

This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Musbahu Kofarnassarawa, on Monday in Kano.

Kofarnassarawa said the incident “occurred on Sunday at about noon, when a 40-year-old man allegedly attempted to throw a substance suspected to be Indian hemp into the custodial centre.”

He said the suspect, who resides in Janguza Quarters, Kano, was “apprehended by officers of the Armed Squad Unit following their vigilance and prompt response.”

According to him, the officers acted under the supervision of the Commander of the Armed Squad Unit, CSC Usman M. Sale.

The Controller of Corrections of the Kano State Command, Ahmed Yusuf-Lakpene, “commended the officers for their vigilance, professionalism and commitment to maintaining security in custodial facilities.”

Yusuf-Lakpene reiterated the “command’s zero-tolerance stance towards the smuggling of prohibited items into custodial centres.”

He urged “members of the public to desist from attempts to introduce illicit substances and other prohibited materials into correctional facilities.”

He said the suspect had been “handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency” (NDLEA) for further investigation and necessary action.

Yusuf-Lakpene reaffirmed the command’s commitment to strengthening security measures across its custodial centres to ensure a safe environment for the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.

In August 2026, at the Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, a woman was caught for attempting to smuggle illicit drugs into the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ibara, Abeokuta.