WARRI: Leader of the Warri North Local Government Legislative Arm, Honourable Duakpemi Kunu Gift, has urged the Delta State Government to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of the team leader of a security vigilante group (SOS), Liberty Kunu.
Gift, who is a blood brother to the deceased, made the demand in a statement on Tuesday, following reports that Kunu died in police custody after being arrested for alleged robbery.
Maintaining his brother’s innocence, the lawmaker noted that the deceased had a long-standing history of collaboration with security agencies.
He alleged that the Delta State Police Command was misled into labeling the late vigilante leader a gunrunner and robbery suspect, subsequently calling for a transparent and independent probe into the circumstances of the death.
“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 LGA. There are few communities in Delta State that his efforts did not touch”, he stated.
Gift argued that his brother’s activities were documented and public, contradicting the narrative presented by the authorities.
He pointed to public testimonies, including those from Comrade Umukoro Efemena, a former UPU Youth Wing President, who claimed the Commissioner of Police was misled by those directly involved in the incident.
The lawmaker expressed disappointment in the official response to the tragedy, stating: “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.”
He further clarified the issue regarding the arms found with the deceased, noting that “Major media outlets, 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.”
While declaring his intention to pursue the matter to its legal conclusion, Gift noted that his position within the government made the current silence and “callous” labeling of his brother even more difficult to bear.
“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 unacceptable,” he added.
