NSCDC Uncovers Underground Tunnels and Suspected Drug Den in Asaba, One Arrest Made

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Delta State has uncovered a network of underground tunnels and a suspected drug hideout in a heavily fortified building in Asaba, the state capital. The discovery was made on Monday, October 12, 2026, at a property identified as Fallingwater Colehouse, Yahweh Close, off Akara Junction, along the 74 Junction–Asaba Specialist Hospital axis.

Operatives of the Commandant’s Patrol Team reportedly spent three days attempting to gain access to the building before using a blowtorch to cut through the roof. The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Anthony Akachukwu, said the structure was secured with multiple layers of reinforced iron doors.

“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,” Akachukwu told journalists.

Several suspects fled during the operation through the tunnels, with some reportedly escaping with quantities of the suspected substances. Items recovered from the premises included substances locally known as “Loud” and “Ice,” as well as PVC gum and other materials linked to the alleged drug trade.

One person identified as Yakubu was arrested after he allegedly arrived at the location to purchase drugs during the operation. According to the NSCDC spokesman, the suspect began negotiating with an operative he mistook for someone working at the outlet.

The Delta State NSCDC Commandant, Chinedu Igbo, said the layout of the tunnels has raised concerns that the facility may have been used for activities beyond drug dealing. “That means when they got hints that security men were around, those outlets are for their escape, different underground tunnels for escape,” Igbo said in a video shared by Channels Television.

The command is investigating possible links to kidnapping, though no such connection has been established. Igbo also suggested the building could have been used for holding kidnapped victims or organ harvesting, but stressed that these remained investigative leads requiring further verification.

A notebook recovered at the scene reportedly contained entries suggesting payments had been made to security personnel. The NSCDC has not publicly identified any personnel or agencies allegedly mentioned in the document, and the contents have not been independently verified.

Akachukwu said investigations are ongoing to establish the ownership of the property. “We already have information, but nothing will be made public until some ascertaining is done,” he said, adding that the location would remain under surveillance and more arrests were expected.

A resident of the area, who requested anonymity, said unusual movements had been observed around the property for years and called on the government to demolish the structure and seal the underground passages, arguing that arrests alone might not prevent the operation from resuming.