Lagos Police nab wanted assassin in Ogun, recover weapons

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested Wasiu Akinwande, popularly known as Olori Eso, and described as the “most wanted vicious and notorious hired killer” in Lagos in recent years.

Akinwande, 44, was apprehended during a coordinated tactical operation code-named ‘Silence, Speed and Surprise’ carried out by the Command’s Tactical Squad in his hideout in the Agbado area of Ogun State.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s Public Relations Officer, in a statement issued on Friday, said Akinwande, who is known for terrorising Mushin and surrounding areas, was trailed to Ogun after efforts to nab him were unsuccessful.

“Arrest of most wanted vicious and notorious hired killer and head of killers gang in the history of Lagos State in recent time, Wasiu Akinwade a.k.a. Olori Eso, and recovery of nine (9) sophisticated firearms, ammunition, magazines, dagger, walkie-talkies and international passports,” the statement partly read.

The suspect is accused of leading several deadly gangs responsible for over a decade of violent crimes, including armed robbery, murder, cult-related killings, and kidnappings.

Hundeyin further stated,” This serial killer suspect is the most wanted suspect in Lagos history in recent times.

“His arrest marks a huge success in the ongoing fight against violent crimes that are threats to the security and safety of residents in Mushin and some other parts of Lagos State.”

According to the statement, the police recovered a large cache of weapons and incriminating items from Akinwande’s residence, which the suspect “freely admitted he was using for his killing operations with his gang.”

“The recovered items include two (2) AK-47 rifles, one (1) K2 assault rifle, one (1) Red Ryder rifle, three (3) pump action rifles, two (2) locally made single-barrel pistols, five (5) magazines, fifty-seven (57) live cartridges, seventy (70) 5.56 live ammunition, twenty-seven (27) 9mm ammunition, one (1) expended 5.56 ammunition, one (1) dagger, three (3) walkie-talkies, and nine (9) international passports belonging to different individuals,” Hundeyin stated.

The Command also said Akinwande’s crimes left deep scars on victims’ families and the public.

“Akinwande’s criminal activities have left trauma, horror, agony and pains in the families of victims of his numerous high-profile crimes under investigation by the Lagos State Police Command.”

It was also disclosed that Moshood Jimoh, Commissioner of Police, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the State Criminal Investigation Department to lead an expanded investigation and arrest other suspects linked to the killings.

“The Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), has been directed by the Commissioner of Police to lead other specially selected crack detectives to broaden the investigation of the cases and round up all other suspects linked to Wasiu Akinwande and bring them to justice.”

Hundeyin said four families have come forward to identify Akinwande as the person behind the killings of their relatives.

He said Akinwande is currently in custody under heavy security, and he will “face the full weight of the law for all his crimes.”