The discovery was made on Monday, October 12, 2026, by the Commandant’s Patrol Team at Fallingwater Colehouse, Yahweh Close, off Akara Junction, along the 74 Junction–Asaba Specialist Hospital axis.

The NSCDC Delta State Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Anthony Akachukwu, said operatives spent about three days attempting to enter the building before using a blowtorch to gain access through the roof.

According to Akachukwu, the team encountered several layers of reinforced iron doors and panels inside the structure before discovering underground passages. He alleged that the tunnels had enabled people operating from the location to evade security operatives during previous interventions.

The discovery has widened the scope of the investigation, with the command examining whether the property was used exclusively for suspected drug-related activities or had connections to other criminal operations.

Akachukwu said several suspects escaped during the operation. He added that the layout and size of the tunnels had raised concerns about a possible link to kidnapping, although the command had not established evidence confirming that the facility was used for such crimes.

Items reportedly recovered from the premises included substances locally known as “Loud” and “Ice”, PVC gum and other materials suspected to be connected to the alleged drug trade. The command said some suspected operators fled with part of the substances before the operation was concluded.

A man identified only as Yakubu was arrested after allegedly arriving at the location to purchase drugs. Akachukwu said the man reportedly began negotiating with an operative whom he believed was working at the suspected outlet before his arrest.

The command said further arrests were expected as investigators worked to identify those allegedly involved and establish how the facility operated.

Attention has also turned to a notebook reportedly recovered during the operation. According to the NSCDC, the document contains entries that appear to suggest payments were made to security personnel.

However, the command has not publicly identified any individuals or agencies allegedly mentioned in the notebook. The document’s authenticity, the meaning of its entries and whether any payments were actually made remain matters for investigation. The reported contents should not be treated as proof of misconduct by any security personnel.

A resident who requested anonymity said the property had attracted unusual movements for several years. The resident, who claimed to have lived in the area for more than six years, alleged that people and vehicles visited the location at different hours, including late at night.

The resident also claimed that customers could obtain substances through an opening in the structure without directly meeting the suppliers. These accounts have not been independently verified.

The resident urged the Delta State Government and security agencies to consider securing the property and sealing the underground passages, expressing concern that the suspected operation could resume if the facility remained accessible. The NSCDC has not announced any decision to demolish the building.

Akachukwu said investigators were working to establish who owned or controlled the property. Although the command indicated that it had obtained information about the ownership, the spokesman said the details would not be made public until they had been verified.

He added that operatives would continue monitoring the location to prevent a possible return of the suspected activities while efforts to identify and apprehend other suspects continued.

The investigation is expected to clarify the purpose of the tunnels, identify those who allegedly operated from the premises, establish who controlled the property and determine whether the location was connected to other criminal activities.

The reported discovery comes amid wider concerns about concealed facilities allegedly used for drug-related operations. In May 2026, Punch reported that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency uncovered caves and underground tunnels suspected of being used as drug hideouts in Kano State.

The Asaba investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against the arrested man and other suspected individuals have yet to be established in court.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia