Delta State Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola on Friday, confirmed the death of the Commander of a vigilante and suspected kidnapper, Liberty Kunu, in Sapele, Delta State.
The State Police boss made the confirmation in a statement in Warri, saying the deceased suspect died after a gun duel with Operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team, (CP-SAT).
He was confirmed dead in a hospital where he was rushed to for medical treatment following injuries he sustained in the shoot out.
“Following series of complaints of kidnapping, abduction and other heinous crimes against one Liberty Kunu (popularly known as Commander Liberty or Double agent) and his gang, I directed the DPO Sapele to deploy all mercenaries to unravel their activities and ascertain the authenticity of the complaints.”
“On the 17th of January 2026, at about 1800hours, the command received a complaint of the abduction of three victims (names withheld).
“The victims were abducted at the Boyo road junction in Sapele and taken to an unknown destination.
“On their way to the bush, one of the victims escaped and ran to the Police station and reported.
“The other two victims were robbed of their valuables worth Nine Million naira (#9,000,000). Preliminary investigation carried out revealed that the syndicate led by the said Liberty Kunu, who operates in the guise of security volunteers (SOS) were responsible for the abduction and armed robbery.”
“Acting on this information, operatives of the CP-Special assignment team, in a combined effort with operatives of Sapele Division, swung into action and arrested Liberty and his gang members, including Twale Golly aged 33yrs, Michael Kunu ‘m’ aged 25 years, Israel Ugwu aged 30 years, Ogaga Power aged 43 years, and mercy Kunu ‘f’ aged 28yrs, and recovered five Pump action gun, one Beretta pistol and other accouterments.”
CP Adesola explained that, “Further investigation revealed that the suspect Liberty Kunu is a member of Aye confraternity and also is suspected to be in possession of an AK-47 rifle, and when confronted with the facts, he admitted and at about 2335 hours, on 28th January 2026, the said Liberty Kunu led operatives of CP-SAT to their hideout at Ibada-Elume community for the possible recovery of the Rifle.
“Upon arriving at the bush, the operatives recovered one AK-47 Rifle and one locally fabricated Revolver gun hidden in the thick forest.
“The team, while retreating upon reaching the Ibada-Elume express road, was suddenly ambushed by hoodlums suspected to be members of his gang.
“In a bid to rescue the said Liberty from the Police, they had a serious gun duel with the Police that lasted for over ten minutes.
“The team, who were battle-ready due to their superior firepower, engaged the suspects until they ran out of ammunition and fled with bullet injuries.
“The Police operational vehicle was riddled with bullets. The suspect, Liberty and some of the operatives sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.
The suspect’s liberty was confirmed dead upon arrival at the Hospital and his corpse was deposited at General Hospital Sapele.”
CP Adesola noted that,”Other members of his gang are still in custody while investigation is ongoing.”
