By Ovasa Ogaga,
A major crackdown on kidnapping and violent crime in Delta State has led to the death of a notorious suspected kidnapper, popularly known as Commander Liberty or Double Agent, following a fierce gun duel with police operatives, as well as the arrest of several members of his gang and the recovery of high-grade firearms.
Briefing journalists in Asaba on Thursday, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, disclosed that the operation followed “a series of complaints of kidnapping, abduction and other heinous crimes” allegedly perpetrated by Liberty Kunu and his gang, who operated under the guise of security volunteers.
According to the police boss, the command swung into action after receiving a report on January 17, 2026, of the abduction of three persons at Boyo Road junction, Sapele, around 6:00pm. CP Adesola said, “The victims were abducted and taken to an unknown destination. On their way to the bush, one of the victims escaped and ran to the police station to report.” He added that the remaining two victims were robbed of valuables estimated at ₦9 million.
Preliminary investigations, the CP said, revealed that the abduction and armed robbery were carried out by a syndicate led by Liberty Kunu, prompting the deployment of operatives from the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) in collaboration with officers of the Sapele Division. The operation led to the arrest of Liberty and key members of his gang, identified as Twale Golly (33), Michael Kunu (25), Israel Ugwu (30), Ogaga Power (43), and Mercy Kunu (28).
CP Adesola disclosed that during the arrests, operatives recovered five pump-action guns, one Beretta pistol and other incriminating accoutrements. He further revealed that “further investigation showed that Liberty Kunu is a member of the Aye confraternity and was also suspected to have an AK-47 rifle.”
The commissioner said that when confronted, the suspect admitted to possessing the rifle and, at about 11:35pm on January 28, 2026, led operatives to a hideout in the bush at Ibada-Elume community, where *“one AK-47 rifle and one locally fabricated revolver were recovered from the thick forest.”
However, trouble erupted as the operatives were retreating from the area. “Upon reaching the Ibada-Elume express road, the team was suddenly ambushed by hoodlums suspected to be members of his gang, in a bid to rescue Liberty from the police,” CP Adesola said. He added that a gun duel lasting over ten minutes ensued, during which the police vehicle was riddled with bullets.
According to him, “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.” Liberty Kunu and some police operatives sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to the hospital, where “the suspect was confirmed dead on arrival,” while his body was deposited at the General Hospital, Sapele.
The police commissioner noted that other members of the gang remain in custody as investigations continue, assuring residents that the command remains resolute in its fight against kidnapping and violent crime across Delta State.
“The Delta State Police Command will not relent in its determination to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure the safety of lives and property,” CP Adesola said.
