Delta Police Neutralize Kidnap Kingpin in Fiery Gun Battle, Recover Arms, AK-47 Rifle

The Delta State Police Command has dismantled a notorious gang led by one suspect known as Liberty Kunu (also called Commander Liberty or Double Agent), in a gun battle in response to ongoing reports of kidnapping, armed robbery, and related criminal activities in the area.

The State Commissioner of Police CP Aina Adesola in a statement on Friday, said that he had directed the Sapele Police Division to intensify efforts to dismantle this criminal network.

Delta State Police Commissioner CP Aina Adesola

According to him, on January 17, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM, the police received a distress call about the abduction of three individuals at Boyo Junction, Sapele.

He said that the victims were taken into the nearby bushland but during the incident, one victim managed to escape and immediately reported the matter at the police station.

He said that the remaining two victims were robbed of valuables worth around ₦9 million.

Preliminary investigations, according to the police boss, identified Liberty Kunu’s gang, operating under the guise of security volunteers (SOS), as responsible for the abduction and armed robberies.

He said that acting swiftly, officers from the CP-Special Assignment Team, in collaboration with Sapele Division officers, raided their hideout and apprehended Liberty and five gang members: Twale Golly (33), Michael Kunu (25), Israel Ugwu (30), Ogaga Power (43), and Mercy Kunu (28).

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He said that the team recovered five pump-action shotguns, a Beretta pistol, and other related weapons.

Further inquiries, the police Chief said revealed that Liberty Kunu is affiliated with the Aye confraternity and is believed to possess an AK-47 rifle.

Recovered weapons

He said that confronted with the evidence, he admitted ownership of the weapon qnd subsequently, “on January 28, at around 11:35 PM, Liberty led officers to a forested area at Ibada-Elume in hopes of recovering the rifle”.

He said that while in the bush, the team found and retrieved a confiscated AK-47 rifle and a locally made revolver. “As they retreated along the Ibada-Elume express road, the officers were ambushed by suspected gang members”, he added.

“A fierce gun battle ensued, lasting over ten minutes, during which the gang members fought desperately to free Liberty”, he narrated.

The police boss, said that officer responded with superior firepower, engaging the suspects until they ran out of ammunition and fled the scene, leaving Liberty and some officers wounded.

“The police vehicle was hit multiple times during the exchange. Liberty sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was confirmed dead upon arrival at the General Hospital in Sapele”.

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His body has since been deposited at the hospital mortuary. Other gang members remain in custody as investigations continue.