Police arrest wanted ‘hired killer’ accused of terrorising Lagos communities since 2009

The Lagos police command has arrested Wasiu Akinwande, a suspected hired killer popularly known as “Olori Eso”.

The police described Akinwande as the “most wanted vicious and notorious hired killer in the history of Lagos state in recent times”.

Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos police spokesman, said Akinwande was arrested on Friday in his hideout in the Agbado area of Ogun state after several attempts by the police tactical squad.

Hundeyin said the 44-year-old suspect and his gang terrorised Lagos communities from 2009 to 2024.

The police spokesperson said operatives recovered arms from the suspect, including two AK-47 rifles, one K2 assault rifle, three pump-action rifles, and nine international passports belonging to different individuals.

“Wasiu Akinwande was arrested in his hideout in the Agbado area of Ogun State after several attempts by the Police Tactical Squad,” the statement reads.

“For over a decade now, from 2009 until 2024, Wasiu Akinwande and his gangs have terrorised the people and communities, particularly in the Mushin area of Lagos state.

“He was responsible for organising and executing a series of armed robberies, cold-blooded murders, kidnappings and cult-related killings.

“His reign of terror instilled fear and apprehension in residents and posed a dangerous threat to law and order.

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

“Despite his escapes from one state of the country to another over the years, the Lagos State Police Command remained resolute in its pursuit of justice.

“The operatives of the command raided his house in Mushin, and recovered a cache of weapons and incriminating items he freely admitted he was using for his killing operations with his gang.

“The firearms recovered 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 said the deputy commissioner of police, state criminal investigation department (SCID), has been directed to “broaden the investigation” and arrest suspects linked to Akinwande.

He added that four families have come forward to accuse Akinwande of killing their children and wards.