The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned Wasiu Akinwande, a notorious suspected assassin popularly known as Olori Eso, at the Ogba Magistrate Court on 11 counts bordering on murder, unlawful possession of arms, and felony.
The Spokesman of Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Hundeyin had said that Akinwande, who is known for terrorising Mushin and surrounding areas, was trailed to Ogun after efforts to nab him were unsuccessful.
He said that Akinwande, 44, was apprehended during a coordinated tactical operation code-named “Silence, Speed, and Surprise” carried out by the Command’s Tactical Squad in his hideout in Agbado, Ogun State.
“Akinwande’s criminal activities have left trauma, horror, agony and pains 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,” he said.
“The operatives of the Command raided his house in Mushin, and recovered cache of weapons and incriminating items he freely admitted he was using for his killing operations with his gang, he said.
Akinwande is being accused of murdering multiple individuals, including Bankole Yusuf and Ramadan Yusuf on July 31, 2024, in Mushin, and a 10-year-old girl, Aminat Lateef, in 2010.
He is also being accused of possessing prohibited firearms, including AK-47 rifles, a K2 assault rifle, and locally made pistols, without satisfactory explanation.
Akinwande allegedly attempted to kill Awawu Ajalara in 2011, resulting in permanent disability.
Two AK-47 rifles, one K2 assault rifle, one Red Ryder rifle, three pump-action rifles, and two locally made single-barrel pistols were recovered from him.
Also recovered from him were 57 live cartridges, 70 rounds of 5.56 live ammunition, and 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition, three walkie-talkies, one dagger, and nine international passports belonging to different individuals.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), has been directed to lead other detectives to broaden the investigation and round up all other suspects linked to Akinwande.
Four families have come forward to identify him as the suspect behind the killings of their children and wards.
The state Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, also reassured all Lagosians that their safety and security remained top priority of the Command.
