The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned a suspected notorious assassin, Wasiu Akinwande, popularly known as Olori Eso, before the Ogba Magistrate Court on an 11-count charge bordering on murder, illegal possession of firearms, attempted murder, and other criminal offences.
In a statement on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, described the 44-year-old suspect as “the most wanted and vicious hired killer.” He was arrested by the Command’s Tactical Squad during a special operation codenamed Silence, Speed and Surprise at his hideout in the Agbado area of Ogun State.
Hundeyin revealed that Akinwande had long evaded arrest, despite several attempts by the police, especially in the Mushin area of Lagos, where he was reportedly feared for unleashing terror. Following his arrest, the police recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from his residence, including AK-47 rifles, a K2 assault rifle, pistols, 70 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 57 cartridges, walkie-talkies, and a poisonous dagger.
Among the charges, Akinwande is accused of the murder of Bankole Yusuf and Ramadan Yusuf on July 31, 2024, in Mushin. He is also alleged to have killed 10-year-old Aminat Lateef on December 9, 2010, while she was on an errand in the Fadeyi area.
One charge states that Akinwande and his gang, using AK-47 rifles, shot and killed multiple victims during a violent clash in Idi-Araba on July 31, 2024, before fleeing to Alagbado, where he was eventually tracked and arrested.
He is further charged with the attempted murder of a 58-year-old woman, Awawu Ajalara, in 2011. The police allege that Akinwande shot her in both legs with an AK-47 rifle, leaving her permanently disabled.
The offences are punishable under various sections of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015, and the Firearms Act of the Federation, 2004 (as amended). Police say investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of his gang who remain at large.