The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a notorious hired assassin and alleged cult leader, Wasiu Akinwande, popularly known as Olori Eso, who has long been on the Command’s most wanted list.
His apprehension marks a major breakthrough in the fight against violent crimes in Lagos State.
In a statement released on Friday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the 44-year-old suspect was described as the most wanted criminal in the history of Lagos in recent years. He was finally captured by operatives of the Command’s Tactical Squad after an intense manhunt.
“The arrest of the 44-year-old suspect 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,” Hundeyin stated.
Akinwande, believed to be the head of a deadly gang responsible for years of terror in Mushin and surrounding communities, was tracked to a hideout in Agbado, Ogun State. According to police reports, he had been evading capture since 2009, operating a deadly network involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, cult-related killings, and cold-blooded murders.
Police say his criminal enterprise has left dozens of families in grief. “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,” Hundeyin said.
Despite years of eluding arrest by moving from state to state, the suspect’s reign came to an end following a raid on his Mushin residence. During the operation, police recovered a large cache of weapons and incriminating materials reportedly used in his operations. Items 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) 5.56mm live rounds
- Twenty-seven (27) 9mm ammunition
- One (1) expended 5.56mm round
- One (1) dagger
- Three (3) walkie-talkies
- Nine (9) international passports belonging to various individuals
Following his arrest, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, directed the Deputy Commissioner in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to lead a special team of investigators to broaden the scope of the investigation and apprehend other members of the gang.
Already, four families have reportedly identified Akinwande as the individual behind the killings of their children and wards.
Commissioner Jimoh assured the public that the Police Command remains committed to ensuring safety and order across the state. “We urge Lagosians to continue cooperating with the police. Their safety and security remain our utmost priority,” he said.
The arrest of Akinwande comes as part of an intensified crackdown on violent crime across Lagos State, especially in crime-prone areas like Mushin.
Further investigations are ongoing.
