Lagos State Police have successfully apprehended one of Nigeria’s most wanted criminals, capturing notorious hired killer Wasiu Akinwande, also known as Olori Eso, in a coordinated tactical operation that ended his decade-long reign of terror across Lagos State.
The 44-year-old suspect was arrested during a specialized operation dubbed “Silence, Speed and Surprise” conducted by the Command’s Tactical Squad at his hideout in the Agbado area of Ogun State. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin announced the arrest in a statement released on Friday, describing it as a major breakthrough in the fight against violent crime.
Akinwande had been terrorizing Mushin and surrounding areas of Lagos State for over a decade, leading multiple deadly gangs responsible for a wide range of violent crimes including armed robbery, murder, cult-related killings, and kidnapping operations. His capture came after extensive tracking efforts that eventually led investigators across state lines to Ogun State.
“This serial killer suspect is the most wanted suspect in Lagos history in recent time,” Hundeyin stated, emphasizing the significance of the arrest. “His arrest marks a huge success in the ongoing fight against violent crimes that are threats to security and safety of residents in Mushin and some other parts of Lagos State.”
The police operation yielded a substantial cache of sophisticated weapons and incriminating evidence from Akinwande’s residence, items that the suspect reportedly admitted to using in his criminal operations. The recovered arsenal demonstrates the extensive nature of his criminal enterprise and the serious threat he posed to public safety.
Among the seized items were two AK-47 rifles, one K2 assault rifle, one Red Ryder rifle, and three pump action rifles, highlighting the military-grade weaponry at the suspect’s disposal. Police also recovered two locally made single-barrel pistols, indicating the gang’s use of both sophisticated and improvised weapons in their operations.
The ammunition haul was equally substantial, with officers recovering five magazines, fifty-seven live cartridges, seventy 5.56 live ammunition rounds, twenty-seven 9mm ammunition, and one expended 5.56 ammunition. This extensive ammunition stockpile suggests the gang was prepared for prolonged violent confrontations.
Beyond weapons, investigators discovered operational equipment including one dagger, three walkie-talkies for communication during criminal activities, and nine international passports belonging to different individuals. The presence of multiple passports raises questions about potential human trafficking activities or identity fraud operations.
According to Hundeyin, Akinwande freely admitted that the recovered weapons and equipment were used in his killing operations alongside his criminal associates. This confession provides crucial evidence for prosecutors preparing cases against the suspect and his network.
“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 sophisticated firearms, ammunition, magazines, dagger, walkie-talkies and international passports,” the police statement detailed, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the evidence collected.
The successful operation required extensive planning and coordination, with police initially focusing their search in Lagos before tracking the suspect across state boundaries. The cross-state nature of the operation demonstrates the suspect’s sophisticated evasion tactics and the persistence of law enforcement in pursuing him.
Akinwande is currently being held in custody under heavy security arrangements, reflecting both the serious nature of his alleged crimes and concerns about potential escape attempts or retaliation from associates. Police have indicated that the suspect will face the full weight of the law for his extensive criminal activities.
The arrest represents a significant victory for Lagos State Police in their ongoing efforts to combat violent crime and improve public safety. Akinwande’s capture removes a major threat to residents of Mushin and surrounding areas who have lived under the shadow of his criminal activities for years.
