The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a network of underground tunnels, heavily fortified doors and suspected escape routes in an unfinished building at Camp 74, near Government House in Asaba, Delta State.
The discovery followed intelligence reports alleging drug-related activities at the property, prompting operatives of the NSCDC patrol team to storm the building.
According to the corps, operatives encountered significant difficulty gaining access to the premises due to multiple layers of iron doors. They reportedly spent three days attempting to breach the structure before eventually gaining entry through the roof.
A search of the building revealed underground passages with distinct entry and exit points, which investigators suspect could have been designed as escape routes.
The discovery has sparked concerns over the possible use of the property for drug trafficking and other criminal activities, including kidnapping and alleged organ harvesting.
However, authorities have yet to establish the actual purpose of the tunnels or confirm whether they were used for any of the suspected offences.
Items recovered from the premises and displayed at the NSCDC Delta State Command headquarters included suspected cannabis, PVC guns, syringes and other materials believed to be potentially linked to criminal activities.
Speaking on the development, the Delta State NSCDC Commandant, Chinedu Igbo, said the corps would engage other relevant security agencies to assist in the investigation.
Igbo disclosed that one person was in custody and was being profiled as a possible informant, clarifying that no arrests had been made in connection with the suspected criminal activities at the property.
He said investigations were ongoing to establish the ownership of the building, determine the purpose of the underground tunnels and identify other individuals who might be connected to the facility.
The discovery has heightened security concerns among residents of the Camp 74 area, particularly over the possibility that the underground passages could have been used for activities beyond those initially reported to security operatives.
The NSCDC said further findings would help determine the nature of the activities carried out at the property and whether any criminal network operated from the location.
