Killing of Vigilante Leader: Warri Politician Tasks Delta Govt on Thorough Investigation

The Leader of the Warri North Local Government Legislative Arm, Honourable Duakpemi Kunu Gift, has called on the Delta State Government to carry out a thorough investigation into the death of a security vigilante team leader, Liberty Kunu.
Honourable Kunu Gift, who is a blood brother to the deceased, made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Liberty Kunu, the commander of a security vigilante group known as SOS, reportedly died in police custody after his arrest over allegations of robbery.
However, the lawmaker dismissed the allegations, insisting that his brother was innocent and had, over time, worked closely with security agencies in Delta State to combat crime.
Honourable Gift stated that the Delta State Police Command was misled into branding his brother a gun runner and robbery suspect, and demanded a transparent, independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
In his statement, he said:
“I am deeply pained and compelled to speak out over the unjust killing and subsequent false labeling of my younger brother, Commander Liberty, who sacrificed his life in service to the security of Delta State.
“Commander Liberty worked closely with the Delta State Police Command and, by extension, the Delta State Government, in the protection of lives and property within Warri, Sapele, and beyond. His commitment and courage contributed significantly to the drastic reduction of cult clashes across several parts of the state.
“Through his security outfit, SOS, his impact was felt from Oghara to Sapele, from Ughelli to Jesse, and across Ekpan in Uvwie Local Government Area. There are few communities in Delta State that his efforts did not touch.
“His activities were not hidden. His photographs, videos, and security operations were widely documented and shared on social media while he was alive.
“It is on record that Comrade Umukoro Efemena, former UPU Youth Wing President, has publicly spoken on this matter in at least two video statements. He stated clearly what he knew about the circumstances that led to my brother’s death and confirmed that he personally engaged with the Commissioner of Police, who, according to him, was misled by those directly involved.
“Despite these revelations, the Delta State Government and the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command, have failed to conduct a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation. Instead, they have chosen the unacceptable path of posthumously labeling my brother a kidnapper.
“Major media organisations, including ARISE News and AIT, have circulated claims that weapons recovered from him were illegal, despite the fact that those same weapons were officially approved for his security work.
“Numerous individuals and communities have testified to Commander Liberty’s identity, integrity, and sacrifices toward maintaining peace and security in Delta State.
“I state here, without fear or favour, that I will pursue justice to its fullest legal extent. I will ensure that every individual involved in the murder of Commander Liberty is held accountable, no matter how highly placed. Justice must be served.
“I have been deeply bereaved. I remained silent for a long time due to shock, pain, and respect for due process. However, I can no longer keep mute while a government I am part of refuses to investigate properly and instead issues a callous, misleading, and damaging statement against a man who gave his life for public safety.
“This injustice is unacceptabl”