Nelson Utip
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has discovered a some underground tunnels, heavily secured doors and suspected escape routes in an unfinished building in Camp 74, close to Government House, Asaba in Delta State.
This followed intelligence reports about suspected drug-related activities at the property as operatives of the NSCDC patrol team stormed during an operation.
Reports has it that the corps could not easily gain access to the building due to multiple layers of iron doors securing the premises. Operatives however spent three days trying to breach the structure before eventually gaining entry through the roof.
They discovered underground passages with distinct entry and exit points, which investigators suspect may have served as escape routes for people using the facility.
This discovery has raised concerns about the possible use of the property for drug trafficking and other criminal activities, including kidnapping and organ harvesting.
Meanwhile the actual purpose of the tunnels and whether they were used for such activities us still under investigation.
Some of the items recovered from the building include cannabis, PVC guns, syringes and other materials believed to be linked to possible criminal activities.
The Delta State NSCDC Commandant, Chinedu Igbo, reacting to the discovery said other relevant security agencies would be contacted to support the investigation.
He further disclosed that one person was in custody and was being profiled as a possible informant.
The Commandant also said that no arrests had been made in connection with the suspected criminal activities.
It added that investigations were ongoing to establish the ownership of the property, determine the purpose of the underground tunnels and identify other persons who may be linked to the facility.
The discovery has raised security concerns among residents around the Camp 74 area, particularly over the possibility that the underground passages may have been used for activities beyond those initially reported to security operatives.
