The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a network of underground tunnels, heavily secured doors and suspected escape routes in an unfinished building in Camp 74, near Government House in Asaba, Delta State.

The discovery followed intelligence reports about suspected drug-related activities at the property, which operatives of the NSCDC patrol team stormed during an operation.

According to the corps, gaining access to the building proved difficult because of multiple layers of iron doors securing the premises. Operatives reportedly spent three days trying to breach the structure before eventually gaining entry through the roof.

Inside, they discovered underground passages with distinct entry and exit points, which investigators suspect may have served as escape routes for people using the facility.

The discovery has raised concerns about the possible use of the property for drug trafficking and other criminal activities, including kidnapping and alleged organ harvesting. However, the actual purpose of the tunnels and whether they were used for such activities remain subjects of investigation.

Items recovered from the building and displayed at the NSCDC Delta State Command headquarters include suspected cannabis, PVC guns, syringes and other materials believed to be linked to possible criminal activities.

Speaking on the discovery, the Delta State NSCDC Commandant, Chinedu Igbo, said other relevant security agencies would be contacted to support the investigation.

He disclosed that one person was in custody and was being profiled as a possible informant, adding that no arrests had been made in connection with the suspected criminal activities.

The corps said 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.

The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned the continuation of hearing in the alleged corruption case involving former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to December 8, 2026.

The adjournment followed the assignment of a new prosecuting counsel, Ibrahim Mukhtar, who reportedly requested more time to study the case file.

The court also fixed October 16 for the hearing of a bail application filed by former Kaduna State government official, Jimi Lawal, who is a co-defendant in the alleged financial misconduct case.

El-Rufai was seen leaving the court premises after the proceedings were adjourned. He had earlier arrived for proceedings in a separate case involving the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The cases come amid ongoing investigations into allegations of financial misconduct during El-Rufai’s administration between May 2015 and May 2023.

The former governor has denied wrongdoing in connection with the allegations.

The allegations remain subject to judicial determination, and El-Rufai is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Sam Amadi, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu would not campaign extensively ahead of the 2027 presidential election because he could not withstand the stress involved.

Amadi alleged that Tinubu would rely on state governors to “cash out” votes through various means.

He was reacting to Tinubu’s remark that he would not visit every state to campaign, as he intended to focus on governance.

Speaking during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, Tinubu said, “You will excuse me from going everywhere with you. However, I will still make room to talk to Nigerians directly. The responsibility of this office does not pause, and we have bills to pay.”

Reacting to the statement, Amadi urged governors to carry out their campaign responsibilities peacefully and allow opposition parties to campaign freely.

In a post on X, Amadi wrote, “Tinubu is very honest here, he will not campaign because he cannot face the stress of the campaign. He will allow the governors to cash out the votes through all means.

“I just ask the governors to go about this proxy work in peace and allow the opposition to campaign freely and let the people decide for themselves whether to return Tinubu to power despite not being able to campaign.

“Nigerian democracy is already damaged. But we should not damage it further for fear of the military.

“We are vulnerable. Consider what is going around our West Africa. We need democracy to survive.”