According to Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the discovery of this sinister tunnel was the result of a raid conducted by the Operation Crush security team in the area.

Ekeoma clarified that the hidden tunnel became apparent when the government employed earth-moving equipment to the location. In his words, "The evil tunnel was discovered during a thorough operation by our security team, Operation Crush, who swiftly responded to the situation."

He said, “The hidden tunnel was discovered as the state government led by Governor Alex Otti, deployed earth-moving equipment to clear the area after the criminal cartel succumbed to the superior firepower of the government-backed Operation Crush.

“We will not surrender an inch of our territory to criminals. During the launch of the Abia State Joint Security Task Force (Operation Crush), Governor Otti ordered security agencies to ensure that all criminals, especially kidnappers making life hellish for the people of Umunneochi and other parts of the state were brought to justice and their criminal infrastructure and architecture destroyed.