ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the arrest and eventual death of a notorious kidnap and armed robbery suspect, Liberty Kunu, popularly known as Commander Liberty or Double Agent, following a fierce gun battle between police operatives and suspected members of his gang in Sapele area of the state.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, the command said the operation was triggered by a series of complaints bordering on kidnapping, abduction and other heinous crimes allegedly committed by Kunu and his criminal network.
According to the statement, the command had directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Sapele to deploy operatives to discreetly unravel the activities of the suspect and verify the authenticity of the complaints. On January 17, 2026, at about 6:00pm, police received a distress report on the abduction of three persons at the Boyo Road junction in Sapele.
The victims were reportedly whisked away to an unknown location, but one of them escaped while being taken into the bush and promptly reported the incident at a police station. The remaining two victims were allegedly robbed of valuables estimated at about ₦9 million.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the abduction and armed robbery were carried out by a syndicate led by Liberty Kunu, who allegedly operated under the guise of security volunteers known as SOS. Acting on the intelligence, operatives of the CP’s Special Assignment Team, in collaboration with officers of the Sapele Division, arrested Kunu and five members of his gang.
Those arrested alongside him were identified as Twale Golly (33), Michael Kunu (25), Israel Ugwu (30), Ogaga Power (43) and Mercy Kunu (28). The police recovered five pump-action guns, one Beretta pistol and other incriminating items from the suspects.
Further investigation revealed that Liberty Kunu was a suspected member of the Aye confraternity and was believed to be in possession of an AK-47 rifle. When confronted, he reportedly admitted the claim and, at about 11:35pm on January 28, 2026, led operatives to his hideout in Ibada-Elume community for the recovery of the weapon.
At the hideout, police recovered one AK-47 rifle and one locally fabricated revolver concealed in a thick forest. However, while retreating and upon reaching the Ibada-Elume express road, the police team was ambushed by armed hoodlums suspected to be members of the gang, who attempted to rescue the suspect.
A fierce gun duel ensued for over ten minutes, during which the police engaged the attackers until they fled with suspected bullet injuries. The police operational vehicle was riddled with bullets during the exchange.
The statement disclosed that Liberty Kunu and some police operatives sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment. Kunu was later confirmed dead on arrival, and his remains were deposited at the General Hospital, Sapele.
The Commissioner of Police stated that other arrested members of the gang remain in custody, while investigation into the criminal network and the fleeing suspects is ongoing. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to confronting violent crime and ensuring the safety of residents across Delta State.
