What appeared to be a heavily secured building in Asaba, Delta State, has come under intense scrutiny after security operatives broke into the property and discovered underground tunnels believed to have been used by people inside to evade arrest.
The discovery was made by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) during an operation at Fallingwater Colehouse, Yahweh Close, off Akara Junction, along the 74 Junction–Asaba Specialist Hospital axis.
The operation took place on Monday, October 12, after the command’s patrol team reportedly spent three days attempting to gain entry into the building.
According to the NSCDC, the structure was so heavily fortified that operatives eventually had to use a blowtorch to penetrate the roof and access the interior.
Speaking to journalists after the operation, the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Anthony Akachukwu, explained that the team encountered several layers of reinforced iron doors before making their way further into the premises.
But what they found inside raised even more questions.
The operatives discovered multiple underground passages suspected of providing escape routes for people operating from the property whenever security personnel attempted to apprehend them.
Akachukwu said the discovery had prompted investigators to examine the possible purpose of the tunnels and determine whether the premises had served as more than a drug distribution point.
He disclosed that several suspects escaped during the raid, complicating efforts to identify everyone connected to the operation.
Although the command is investigating a possible connection between the facility and kidnapping, no such link has been established so far. Authorities are still working to determine whether the underground passages were specifically designed for evading security operatives or served other purposes.
During the operation, officers recovered substances known locally as “Loud” and “Ice”, alongside PVC gum and other materials suspected to be connected to the drug trade.
The NSCDC said some of the people at the location managed to escape with part of the substances before they could be recovered.
However, the operation did not end without an arrest.
A man identified as Yakubu was taken into custody after arriving at the property to purchase drugs. According to Akachukwu, the suspect reportedly began negotiating with an operative, believing the officer was one of the people working at the outlet.
His arrest is expected to form part of the ongoing investigation as authorities work to establish the identities of those running the operation.
The command has indicated that further arrests may follow, with appropriate legal action to be taken against those found to have participated in criminal activities.
Beyond the drugs and the underground passages, investigators are also examining a notebook reportedly recovered from the scene.
According to the NSCDC, entries in the document appeared to suggest that payments had been made to security personnel. However, the command has not identified any individuals or agencies supposedly mentioned in the records.
The authenticity of the notebook and the meaning of its entries have also not been independently established. For now, the information remains an investigative lead rather than proof that any security personnel were involved in wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, a resident who asked not to be identified for security reasons offered an account of what he claimed had been happening around the property.
The resident said he had lived in the area for more than six years and had occasionally observed unusual movements around the building. According to him, people visited the location at different times of the day, with some activity reportedly continuing late into the night.
He further claimed that customers could obtain substances through an opening in the structure without having direct contact with the people supplying them.
The resident also described frequent visits by vehicles and young people, raising concerns about how long the suspected operation might have been running before security operatives intervened.
He called on the Delta State Government and relevant security agencies to consider demolishing the structure and sealing the underground passages. In his view, arresting suspects without addressing the physical setup could leave room for the operation to resume.
The NSCDC, however, has not yet disclosed who owns the property.
Akachukwu confirmed that investigators were working to establish ownership but said the command would not release names or other details until the information had been properly verified.
He also stated that security personnel would continue monitoring the location to prevent a possible return of the suspected operators while the investigation progresses.
According to the spokesman, officers would maintain a presence at the scene as further arrests and investigative steps were pursued ahead of possible court proceedings.
Several important questions therefore remain unanswered.
Who owns the property, and who was responsible for running the suspected drug outlet? How extensive are the underground passages, and where do they lead? Were they constructed solely to help occupants escape during security raids, or could they have served another purpose?
Investigators must also establish whether the suspected drug operation had links to other criminal activities and determine the significance of the notebook containing the disputed entries about payments to security personnel.
For now, the discovery has exposed a heavily fortified property with underground passages, suspected illicit substances and several unanswered questions. The NSCDC says its investigation is continuing, while the allegations against those connected to the premises remain subject to verification and proof before a court of law.
(Source: Punch Newspapers)
