Delta Police confirm Liberty Kunu died after a gunfight during a recovery mission, as officers uncovered rifles, shotguns and suspects linked to kidnapping cases.
The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the death of Liberty Kunu, an alleged kidnapping network leader, following an armed confrontation between security operatives and suspected gang members during a late-night recovery operation.
Authorities say the incident occurred after a series of targeted enforcement actions connected to recent abduction complaints in Sapele and nearby communities.
Police leadership explained that the operation was part of a broader crackdown on violent crimes, especially kidnapping and armed robbery, which had triggered growing concern among residents.
According to officials, intelligence reports and victim statements had repeatedly mentioned the same group pattern, prompting a coordinated tactical response.
Speaking at the state command headquarters in Asaba, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, said multiple petitions and distress reports tied several violent incidents to a gang allegedly directed by Liberty Kunu, who was also known locally by nicknames including Commander Liberty and Double Agent.
These aliases reportedly surfaced during earlier investigations and witness interviews.
The Commissioner stated that the police escalated surveillance and investigative actions after receiving a January 17 report of a triple abduction at Boyo Road Junction in Sapele.
During that incident, three individuals were seized by armed men and moved toward a bush path.
Authorities said one victim managed to escape along the route and quickly alerted officers at a nearby station, enabling a rapid response timeline to begin.
Preliminary findings indicated that the remaining victims were stripped of cash and property valued at roughly nine million naira.
Investigators traced communication trails and suspect movement patterns that allegedly pointed back to the same organized ring.
Police sources said the group sometimes presented itself as a local security support outfit in order to gain trust and reduce suspicion.
Based on gathered intelligence, the Commissioner directed the Sapele Divisional Police Officer to collaborate with the Command’s Special Assignment Team, known as CP-SAT, to identify, locate, and dismantle the network.
Tactical teams then carried out coordinated arrests across multiple points. During these operations, officers detained several suspects believed to be active members or close associates of the ring.
Those arrested include five adults of varying ages who are now under interrogation as investigators map out the structure, logistics, and funding channels of the suspected kidnapping syndicate.
During the arrest phase, officers recovered several weapons, including pump-action shotguns and a pistol, along with equipment believed to support criminal field operations.
Police further reported that deeper questioning and background checks suggested confraternity links and access to higher-grade firearms within the group.
During interrogation, Liberty Kunu allegedly provided information that led operatives to a concealed forest location near Ibada-Elume community.
Officers organized a guided recovery mission to verify the claim and search the site.
At the hideout, security personnel reported recovering an assault rifle and a locally fabricated handgun concealed within the vegetation.
The recovery mission was completed at night in order to reduce the risk of advance warning to other suspected collaborators in the area. Officers then began withdrawing from the forest corridor toward the express road.
According to the police account, the returning team encountered an unexpected armed resistance believed to have been staged by associates attempting to disrupt the extraction and possibly free the suspect.
An exchange of gunfire followed, lasting several minutes, before the attackers retreated under pressure from the police response.
No casualty figures were released for the fleeing attackers, but authorities said evidence at the scene suggested some may have been injured.
During the confrontation, Liberty Kunu and several officers sustained gunshot injuries and were transported to a medical facility for emergency treatment. Hospital staff later confirmed him dead on arrival.
Injured officers received care and were reported to be in stable condition afterward. Police vehicles involved in the operation showed visible bullet impact damage.
Command authorities emphasized that the incident underscores the risks officers face during field operations against organized violent groups.
They also noted that the arrests and weapon recoveries represent a significant disruption of a suspected kidnapping chain operating within the Sapele axis and surrounding routes.
The Delta State Police Command confirmed that the remaining suspects are still in custody and that investigations are continuing.
Analysts are reviewing seized items, digital traces, and statements to identify additional collaborators and possible crime scenes connected to the group. Officials say more arrests may follow as the probe expands.
Security leadership reassured residents that anti-kidnapping and anti-abduction patrols will continue across identified hotspots.
The Command also encouraged community members to share credible information promptly, noting that early reporting played a key role in advancing this case.
In closing remarks, CP Adesola reiterated that enforcement operations will remain intelligence-driven and legally grounded.
He stated that the case involving Liberty Kunu will be fully documented as part of a broader strategy to weaken organized violent networks and restore public confidence in community safety systems.
