Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have uncovered underground tunnels at a suspected drug hideout in Asaba Delta State, believed to be used for concealing illicit substances.
The NSCDC said its Commandant’s Patrol Team raided the property at Fallingwater Colehouse, Yahweh Close, off Akara Junction, along the 74 Junction, Asaba Specialist Hospital axis.
Operatives spent three days attempting to enter the building before using a blowtorch to cut through its roof.
Speaking, Public Relations Officer of the command, DSC Anthony Akachukwu said inside the tunnel, operatives found multiple panels and layers of reinforced iron doors, as well as underground passages allegedly used by occupants to evade security personnel.
“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”, he said.
“This is through where the criminals here used to escape most of the time when they were being checked or chased after,” said Akachukwu.
Several suspects escaped during the operation, according to the PRO.
The scale and design of the tunnels have prompted investigators to examine whether the site served purposes beyond drug trafficking.
Officers recovered substances locally known as “Loud” and “Ice,” along with PVC gum and other materials allegedly connected to the suspected drug trade.
He said some suspected operators fled with part of the substances.
One man, identified as Yakubu, was arrested after allegedly arriving at the property to buy drugs.
Akachukwu said the man began negotiating with an operative whom he apparently mistook for someone working at the outlet.
The command said it expects further arrests and is investigating the ownership of the property.
It has not disclosed the information it says it has about the owner, pending verification.
Investigators are also examining a notebook reportedly recovered at the scene that contains entries suggesting payments were made to security personnel.
The NSCDC has not identified any personnel or agencies allegedly named in the document, and the notebook’s contents and authenticity have not been independently verified.
A resident, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said people had visited the property at unusual hours for years.
The resident alleged that customers could obtain substances through an opening without meeting suppliers directly, and urged authorities to demolish the building and seal the tunnels.
The NSCDC said the site would remain under surveillance while it seeks to establish who controlled the property, who ran the suspected outlet, the purpose of the tunnels and whether others were involved.
The allegations, including any claims involving security personnel, remain subject to investigation and proof in court.
