Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has discovered underground tunnels at a fortified suspected drug hideout in Asaba, Delta State, as investigations continue into possible links between the facility and other criminal activities, including kidnapping.
The discovery was made on Monday, October 12, by the command’s patrol team at Fallingwater Colehouse, Yahweh Close, off Akara Junction, along the 74 Junction to Asaba Specialist Hospital axis.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Anthony Akachukwu, said operatives spent three days attempting to gain access to the building before using a blowtorch to breach its roof.
“This little place that you have seen captured is a very fortified hideout. It will surprise you that after making attempts for three days, they only got through today because they had to use a blowtorch to access this little building from the top,” Akachukwu told journalists after the operation.
He said officers discovered multiple layers of fortified iron doors and underground passages after entering the property, adding that the tunnels were allegedly used by suspects to evade security operatives.
“After blowing through the top, we discovered other panels, layers of fortified iron doors and, getting into the drug hideout, we discovered that there are several tunnels which the criminals here used to escape most of the time when they are being checked or chased after,” he said.
According to the NSCDC spokesman, several suspects escaped during the raid. Operatives recovered substances known locally as “Loud” and “Ice”, alongside PVC gum and other materials suspected to be connected to the drug trade. Some of the suspected operators allegedly fled with part of the substances.
A man identified as Yakubu was arrested after arriving at the location to buy drugs. Akachukwu said the man began negotiating with an operative whom he mistook for a worker at the suspected outlet.
The command is investigating whether the underground tunnels were used for crimes beyond drug dealing, including possible kidnapping. However, Akachukwu said no such link had been established.
Investigators are also examining a notebook recovered at the scene, which the command said contained entries suggesting payments to security personnel. The NSCDC has not identified any individuals or agencies allegedly mentioned in the document, and its contents have not been independently verified.
A resident who requested anonymity for security reasons said people had visited the property at different hours for years. He alleged that customers could obtain substances through an opening in the structure without meeting the suppliers directly and called on authorities to consider demolishing the building and sealing the tunnels.
Akachukwu said investigations were ongoing to establish ownership of the property and identify those responsible for the suspected operation.
“Investigations are ongoing to uncover the owner of the property. We already have information, but nothing will be made public until some ascertaining is done,” he said.
He added that the location would remain under surveillance to prevent the suspected activities from resuming while further arrests and investigations were pursued ahead of possible court action. The command said more arrests were expected as it worked to determine the purpose of the tunnels and establish whether other individuals were involved.
