The Delta State Police Command has arrested several suspected kidnappers and recovered a cache of firearms, including an AK-47 rifle and five pump-action guns, following an operation linked to a series of kidnapping and armed robbery complaints in Sapele and surrounding communities.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, disclosed this in Asaba while briefing journalists on the operation, which also led to the death of a suspected gang leader, Liberty Kunu, popularly known as Commander Liberty or Double Agent.
According to CP Adesola, the command acted on multiple complaints alleging kidnapping, abduction and other heinous crimes by Kunu and his gang. “Following a series of complaints of kidnapping, abduction and other heinous crimes against one Liberty Kunu and his gang, I directed the DPO, Sapele, to deploy all available resources to unravel their activities and ascertain the authenticity of the complaints,” he said.
He explained that on January 17, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m., the command received a report that three persons were abducted at 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 to report the incident,” the commissioner stated.
Preliminary investigations, he said, revealed that the remaining two victims were robbed of valuables worth about ₦9 million, and that the abduction was allegedly carried out by a syndicate led by Kunu, who operated under the guise of a security volunteer group.
Acting on the intelligence, operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team, in collaboration with personnel of the Sapele Division, arrested Kunu and other suspected members of his gang. Those arrested were identified as Twale Golly (33), Michael Kunu (25), Israel Ugwu (30), Ogaga Power (43), and Mercy Kunu (28).
“During the arrest, the operatives recovered five pump-action guns, one Beretta pistol and other incriminating items,” CP Adesola said.
Further investigation, according to the police commissioner, revealed that Kunu was a suspected member of the Aye confraternity and was believed to have an AK-47 rifle. He said the suspect later admitted this and led operatives to a hideout in the Ibada-Elume community at about 11:35 p.m. on January 28, 2026.
“Upon arrival at the bush, the operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle and one locally fabricated revolver concealed in the forest,” he disclosed.
However, CP Adesola said the police team was ambushed while retreating from the area. “On reaching the Ibada-Elume express road, the operatives were suddenly ambushed by hoodlums suspected to be members of the gang, who attempted to rescue the suspect. A gun duel ensued and lasted for over ten minutes,” he said.
He added that the suspects eventually fled with gunshot injuries, while the police operational vehicle was riddled with bullets. Kunu and some operatives sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. “The suspect, Liberty Kunu, was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital, and his body has been deposited at the General Hospital, Sapele,” the commissioner said.
CP Adesola noted that other arrested members of the gang remain in custody, while investigations are ongoing. He assured residents that the command remains committed to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
