The leader of the SOS security team identified as Liberty Kunu, SaharaReporters reliably gathered, was allegedly killed on Thursday following the order of the Divisional Police Officer, (DPO) CSP Johnbull Obulowho in charge of Sapele police station.
Controversy is said to be currently trailing the alleged killing of the team leader of a security vigilante (SOS) by policemen of the Delta State Police Command at Sapele, headquarters of Sapele Local Government Area of the State.
The leader of the SOS security team identified as Liberty Kunu, SaharaReporters reliably gathered, was allegedly killed on Thursday following the order of the Divisional Police Officer, (DPO) CSP Johnbull Obulowho in charge of Sapele police station.
Multiple sources familiar with the incident which have been widely condemned by residents and indigenes of Sapele, disclosed that before his untimely murder, Liberty and his men were recognised by the police and they synergised with the police to combat crimes especially armed robbery and kidnapping in the area.
Giving details of how Liberty was killed by the police, a top source who pleaded for anonymity stated that though the deceased was alleged to be a cultist, the police had always synergised with his SOS vigilante team to fight criminals.
According to the source, "Some weeks ago, a notorious cultist identified as Jonathan Momoh was arrested by the SOS team in Sapele led by now late Liberty. While Liberty was on his way to Warri from Sapele where the arrest was made, the Sapele DPO CSP Johnbull Obulowho allegedly called him to come back to sapele. Liberty then came back to the Sapele police station where he was later detained on trumped up charges. Liberty was later transferred to Ughelli division of the Anti Kidnapping unit. After investigation, nothing was found on him and he was later transferred back to Sapele police station where he was to be released on Thursday.
"However, Liberty was later brutally murdered by a Sapele police officer on the alleged instructions of the DPO. As we speak, nobody knew where his corpse was taken. This was the same Liberty and his men that had rescued kidnapped victims along the Warri Sapele road some weeks ago. Some of us knew how Liberty was killed in cold blood and the reason is not far fetched. Liberty knows much about the deep involvement of the police in some of the kidnapped and armed robbery cases in the area. Liberty and the police had done series of secret deals and if Liberty is not killed he may spill the beans."
Meanwhile, in a statement titled "Attack On Policemen/Death Of Suspected Kidnapper, Arrest Of Suspected Kidnappers And Recovery Of One AK-47 Rifle, Five Pump Action Guns, And Other Firearms", signed by the commissioner of police, Delta State Command, Aina Adesola, and obtained by SaharaReporters, claimed following series of complaints of kidnapping, abduction and other heinous crimes against the deceased, he and his gang members were arrested.
The CP's statement read in parts: "Following series of complaints of kidnapping, abduction and other heinous crimes against one Liberty Kunu (popularly known as Commander Liberty or Double agent) and his gang, I directed the DPO Sapele to deploy all mercenaries to unravel their activities and ascertain the authenticity of the complaints. On the 17th of January 2026, at about 1800hours, the command received a complaint of the abduction of three victims (names withheld). The victims were abducted at the 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 and reported. The other two victims were robbed of their valuables worth nine million naira (N9,000,000).
"Preliminary investigation carried out revealed that the syndicate led by the said Liberty Kunu, who operates in the guise of security volunteers (SOS) were responsible for the abduction armed robbery. Acting on this information, operatives of the CP-Special assignment team, in a combined effort with operatives of Sapele Division, swung into action and arrested Liberty and his gang members, which includes Twale Golly aged 33yrs, Michael Kunu ‘m’ aged 25 years, Israel Ugwu aged 30 years, Ogaga Power aged 43 years, and mercy Kunu ‘f’ aged 28yrs, and recovered five Pump action gun, one Beretta pistol and other accoutrements.
"Further investigation revealed that the suspect Liberty Kunu is a member of Aye confraternity and also is suspected to be in possession of an AK-47 rifle, and when confronted with the facts, he admitted and at about 2335 hours, on 28th January 2026, the said Liberty Kunu led operatives of CP-SAT to their hideout at Ibada-Elume community for the possible recovery of the Rifle. Upon arriving at the bush, the operatives recovered one AK-47 Rifle and one locally fabricated Revolver gun hidden in the thick forest. The team, while retreating upon reaching the Ibada-Elume express road was suddenly ambushed by hoodlums suspected to be members of his gang.
"In a bid to rescue the said Liberty from the police, they had a serious gun duel with the police that lasted for over ten minutes. 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. The police operational vehicle was riddled with bullets. The suspect, Liberty and some of the operatives sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment. The suspect was confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital and his corpse was deposited at General Hospital Sapele. Other members of his gang are still in custody while investigation is ongoing." the CP claimed.