Metro

Police Kill Notorious Kidnapper, Arrest Five Others In Delta

Published

4 months ago

January 30, 2026

Editor

Delta map underaged girls Delta Justice Ministry DSCHIC in Ughelli North road reconstruction in Delta newsmen on solution journalism map of Delta

The Delta State Police Command killed a notorious kidnapper, one Liberty Kunu, popularly known as Commander Liberty or Double Agent, during a gun duel with operatives in Ibada-Elume community, near Sapele.

Five members of his gang, including a female, were arrested and are helping the police in their investigation.

The state commissioner of police, Aina Adesola, who confirmed the development at a press briefing in Asaba on Friday, said the gang had abducted three persons at Boyo junction, Sapele and robbed two of them of their valuables worth N9 million while the other escaped and reported to the police.

According to him, the kidnap kingpin met his waterloo when some members of his gang ambushed the operatives who went to recover the arms he confessed to in the bush.

Adesola retorted, “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 and 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 include Twale Golly, aged 33 years, 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 have an AK-47 rifle, and when confronted with the facts,” he admitted.

According to the police boss, on January 28 2026, the said Liberty Kunu led operatives of CP-SAT to their hideout at Ibada-Elume community for the possible recovery of the rifle.

Adesola said upon arriving at the bush, the operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle and one locally fabricated revolver gun hidden in the thick forest.

He explained that the team, while retreating to the Ibada-Elume express road, was suddenly ambushed by hoodlums suspected to be members of the 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 members, who were battle-ready due to their superior firepower, engaged the suspects until they, the hoodlums, ran out of ammunition and fled with bullet injuries,” he said.

Adesola said the Police operational vehicle was riddled with bullets, adding that the suspect, Liberty and some of the operatives sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.

However, the suspect, Liberty, was confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital, and his corpse was deposited at general hospital, Sapele.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

22 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.