The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned a suspected assassin, Wasiu Akinwande, popularly known as Olori Esoh, before the Ogba Magistrate Court in the Ogba area of Lagos.
Akinwande, 44, faces an 11-count charge bordering on murder, unlawful possession of firearms, and other related offenses.
This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who described the suspect as “the most wanted, vicious, and notorious hired killer.”
Akinwande was arrested during a coordinated tactical operation codenamed ‘Silence, Speed, and Surprise’ by the Command’s Tactical Squad at his hideout in Agbado, Ogun State. He had long evaded arrest, having fled Lagos following repeated efforts by law enforcement agencies to apprehend him.
According to Hundeyin, the suspect, who is notorious for terrorizing Mushin and surrounding communities, was tracked across state lines before being captured. A subsequent raid on his residence in Mushin led to the recovery of a large cache of firearms and other incriminating items.
Among the items recovered were two AK-47 rifles, one K2 assault rifle, one Red Ryder rifle, three pump-action rifles, and two locally made single-barrel pistols. Also seized were five magazines, fifty-seven live cartridges, seventy rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, twenty-seven 9mm live rounds, and one expended 5.56mm round. In addition, the police recovered one dagger, three walkie-talkies, and nine international passports belonging to different individuals.
Akinwande reportedly confessed to using the recovered weapons in various assassination operations carried out with his gang. His arrest, according to the police, has brought relief to families previously affected by his alleged crimes.
“His criminal activities have inflicted trauma, horror, and pain on numerous families. Despite years of evading arrest by moving from one state to another, the Lagos State Police Command remained steadfast in its pursuit of justice,” Hundeyin stated.
Following his arrest, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), has been directed to lead a special team of seasoned detectives to expand the investigation, identify all accomplices, and ensure they are brought to justice. Already, four families have come forward to identify Akinwande as the alleged killer of their children and wards.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, reassured residents that the safety and security of all Lagosians remain the Command’s top priority.
