Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Delta State Police Command has dealt a decisive blow to a notorious kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate with the arrest of several suspects, the recovery of multiple firearms, and the death of the alleged gang leader following a violent confrontation.
The operation followed numerous petitions and complaints linking one Liberty Kunu, also known as Commander Liberty or Double Agent, and his gang to cases of kidnapping, abduction and other serious crimes in Sapele and surrounding communities.
Acting on the reports, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, directed the Divisional Police Officer in Sapele to intensify investigations and deploy operatives to dismantle the group. On January 17, 2026, at about 6.00 pm, the Command received a distress report on the abduction of three persons at the Boyo Road junction in Sapele.
Police sources said the victims were taken to an unknown location, but one of them managed to escape while being led into the bush and immediately reported the incident at a nearby police station.
The remaining two victims were allegedly dispossessed of valuables estimated at N9 million.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the abduction and robbery were allegedly carried out by a criminal syndicate led by Liberty Kunu, who reportedly operated under the cover of a local security volunteer group.
Based on this intelligence, operatives of the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team, working alongside officers of the Sapele Division, arrested Liberty Kunu and five other suspects.
Those apprehended include Twale Golly, 33; Michael Kunu, 25; Israel Ugwu, 30; Ogaga Power, 43; and Mercy Kunu, 28.
The Police recovered five pump-action guns, a Beretta pistol and other incriminating items during the operation.
Further interrogation indicated that the suspected kingpin was affiliated with the Aye confraternity and had access to an AK-47 rifle.
On January 28, 2026, at about 11.35 pm, Liberty Kunu reportedly led operatives to a hideout in the Ibada-Elume community, where one AK-47 rifle and a locally fabricated revolver were recovered from a forested area.
However, as the team was withdrawing from the location and approaching the Ibada-Elume expressway, they came under heavy gunfire from hoodlums suspected to be members of the gang, in an apparent attempt to free the suspect.
A prolonged gun battle ensued, lasting over ten minutes, during which the Police repelled the attackers.
The assailants reportedly fled with gunshot wounds, while the police operational vehicle was damaged by bullets.
Liberty Kunu and some police officers sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
The suspect was later pronounced dead on arrival, and his body was deposited at the General Hospital mortuary in Sapele.
The Delta State Police Command said other arrested suspects remain in custody, while investigations are ongoing to apprehend fleeing accomplices and recover additional weapons.
The Command reaffirmed its resolve to rid the state of kidnapping and other violent crimes, urging residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely information.
