The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has uncovered underground tunnels at a heavily fortified suspected drug hideout in Asaba, Delta State, amid investigations into whether the facility was used for other criminal activities.

The NSCDC said its Commandant’s Patrol Team discovered the tunnels during an operation on Monday, October 12, at Fallingwater Colehouse Yahweh Close, off Akara Junction, along the 74 Junction–Asaba Specialist Hospital axis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Anthony Akachukwu, said operatives spent several days trying to gain access to the building before using a blowtorch to break through its roof.

“This little place that you have seen captured is a very fortified hideout. It will surprise you that after making attempts for three days, they only got through today because they had to use blowtorch to access this little building from the top,” Akachukwu told journalists after the operation.

He said operatives encountered several layers of fortified iron doors and underground passages allegedly used by people inside the building to escape security operatives.

“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 times when they are being checked or chased after,” he said.

Akachukwu said several suspects escaped during the operation, adding that the size and layout of the tunnels had raised concerns that the facility might have been used for activities beyond drug dealing.

He said the command was investigating a possible link to kidnapping but had yet to establish whether the facility was used for such crimes.

The operatives reportedly recovered substances locally known as “Loud” and “Ice”, as well as PVC gum and other materials allegedly associated with the suspected drug trade. The command said some of the suspected operators escaped with part of the substances.

A man identified as Yakubu was arrested after allegedly arriving at the location to buy drugs during the operation. According to Akachukwu, the man reportedly began negotiating with an operative he mistook for someone working at the outlet.

The spokesman said investigations were ongoing and more arrests were expected.

“We intend to make more arrests and then at the end of the arrests necessary actions will be taken,” he said.

The command is also investigating a notebook reportedly recovered at the scene, which it said contained entries suggesting that payments had been made to security personnel.

However, the NSCDC has not publicly identified the personnel or agencies allegedly mentioned in the document. The contents and authenticity of the notebook have yet to be independently verified.

A resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, claimed that people had visited the location at different hours for years. He said he had lived in the area for more than six years and had occasionally noticed unusual movements around the property.

The resident alleged that customers could obtain substances through an opening in the structure without meeting the suppliers directly. He also claimed that vehicles and young people frequently visited the area late at night.

He urged the state government and security agencies to consider demolishing the structure and sealing the underground passages, arguing that arrests alone might not prevent the suspected operation from resuming.

Akachukwu said the command was investigating the ownership of the property but would not disclose details until they had been verified.

“Investigations are ongoing to uncover the owner of the property. We already have information, but nothing will be made public until some ascertaining is done,” he said.

He added that the location would remain under surveillance while investigations continued.

“The scene of the crime will be under watch. Our men are still going to hang on here to ensure that it does not continue, at least until further arrests are made before any other investigation will be concluded for necessary court action,” he said.

The investigation is expected to establish who controlled the property, who operated the suspected drug outlet, the purpose of the tunnels and whether other individuals were involved in the alleged activities.

The allegations against the suspects and any claims involving security personnel remain subject to investigation and proof before a court of law.

Source: punchng.com

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One person was in cardiac arrest and several others were wounded in a stabbing incident on Tuesday at a supermarket in South Korea’s coastal city of Incheon, authorities told AFP.

“One person is in cardiac arrest and around seven others have been injured,” an official from the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters said.

Local media reported that a male suspect had been arrested.

South Korea is generally considered a safe country, with a homicide rate of 1.3 per 100,000 people in 2021, according to official statistics, well below the global average of about six per 100,000.

The country has, however, seen a number of stabbing attacks in recent years.

In May 2025, a man stabbed three police officers, while three people were stabbed to death at a Seoul pizza restaurant that September.

AFP

Source: punchng.com

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Police officers attached to the Ekiti State Command who were captured in a viral video during a confrontation with a motorcyclist are undergoing disciplinary proceedings at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The Police Complaint Response Unit disclosed this in an update posted on X on Tuesday, saying the action followed a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.

The update, linked to complaint tracking number CRU100953, read, “The officers in the viral video attached to Ekiti State Police Command are now at the Police Complaint Response Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja, undergoing disciplinary actions as directed by the IGP, Tunji Disu.”

The development follows a complaint received by the Ekiti State Police Command on October 6 from representatives of the Biker Association, Federal University Oye-Ekiti chapter, over the alleged extortion and intimidation of one of its members.

In a statement issued on October 7, the command said the biker was allegedly intercepted by a police patrol team while riding alone from Itapa to Ikole-Ekiti and subjected to a demand for money under circumstances the complainants considered improper.

The command said it had identified the officers involved and taken them into custody for questioning as part of its investigation into allegations of extortion, intimidation, disobedience to lawful orders and other acts of unprofessional conduct.

It added that the investigation had been transferred to the State Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti for a comprehensive and impartial probe.

The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Falade Micheal, directed that the officers be subjected to appropriate disciplinary procedures in line with police regulations, subject to the outcome of the investigation.

The command said, “The Commissioner of Police strongly condemns all forms of extortion, intimidation, abuse of authority and other conduct capable of undermining public confidence or bringing the Nigeria Police Force into disrepute.”

It added that no police officer was authorised to demand or collect money from members of the public while carrying out legitimate police duties.

The viral footage shows a confrontation between a motorcyclist and a police officer over a roadworthiness check.

The rider appears to resist a demand for money reportedly put at ₦20,000, while the officer speaks to him beside his motorcycle.

Text accompanying the video also alleges that the officer threatened the rider during the encounter.

The police have not disclosed the outcome of the investigation or the specific sanctions the officers may face.