Screenshot
Residents of Sapele, Delta State, have called for an immediate overhaul of the Special Operational Squads (SOS) Anti-Crime Unit in the area and have urged that the outfit be placed under the supervision of the Department of State Services (DSS), following the arrest of its commander, popularly known as Commander Liberty, and members of his team over allegations of kidnapping, extortion and gross abuse of office.
The development has generated widespread public concern over accountability within the security architecture in Sapele and Delta State at large.
Commander Liberty and his team were arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad after multiple complaints accused the SOS unit of operating outside established legal and professional boundaries while carrying out anti-crimeduties in the area.
Among the allegations is the case of one Mr. Jonathan, also known as Don Dada, who claimed that he was taken along the Warri Sapele Road by SOS operatives under the guise of an arrest but was, in fact, kidnapped. He alleged that he was not informed of any offence and was denied access to legal representation.
He further claimed that his gold neck chain, reportedly valued at over ₦9 million, was seized during the incident and later sold by members of the unit.
In a separate but similar complaint, another resident of Sapele Local Government Area, Mr. Emmanuel, accused the same SOS team of unlawful detention and extortion, alleging that he was coerced into paying money before he was released.
The similarity of the complaints has fueled public concern that the alleged misconduct was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of abuse.
Police sources disclosed that following the allegations, Commander Liberty reportedly went into hiding but was later tracked and arrested after a manhunt coordinated by the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad under the Sapele Divisional Police Officer.
He and members of his team have since been transferred to Ughelli, the headquarters of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, where a full investigation is currently underway.
Investigators are also probing financial transactions linked to a POS operator allegedly working with the SOS unit.
Preliminary findings reportedly indicate transactions running into over ₦300 million, believed to be funds collected from suspects in exchange for illegal bail and release. The POS operator is now under investigation as authorities trace the money trail to determine the extent of the alleged network.
While the SOS unit had previously been credited with helping to reduce crime in parts of Sapele, residents say its operations were largely opaque and frequently ignored established police procedures.
Allegations against the unit include arresting suspects without warrants, taking detainees to locations along the Sapele Warri Road instead of official police stations, and extorting money from suspects and their families.
Mr. Monday Okotie, a resident at Okpe road, said fear had become widespread in the town.
“People were scared because you could be picked up without explanation and taken to an unknown place. That is not how law enforcement should operate,” he said.
Another resident, Mrs. Blessing Ufuoma, said the situation point to the need for urgent reform. “We want effective crime control, especially against drug abuse and violent crime, but it must be done lawfully.
The SOS unit should be overhauled and placed under DSS supervision to ensure discipline and respect for human rights,” she said.
Other residents have warned that incidents of this nature weaken public trust in law enforcement and discourage citizens from cooperating with security agencies, noting that confidence is a critical component of effective policing.
The Delta State Police Command has assured the public that the investigation will be thorough and transparent, involving interrogation of the suspects, review of past SOS operations, analysis of financial records and interviews with alleged victims. If found guilty, Commander Liberty and members of his team could face charges ranging from kidnapping and extortion to abuse of office, armed robbery and money laundering.
As investigations continue in Ughelli, residents of Sapele say they are watching closely, hopeful that the case will not be quietly swept aside but will mark a decisive step toward accountability, institutional reform and a more ethical approach to law enforcement in Delta State and beyond.
