The Lagos State Police Command has successfully apprehended Wasiu Akinwande, also known as Olori Eso, a 44-year-old feared hired killer and cult kingpin whose reign of terror has plagued Lagos, particularly the Mushin area, for over a decade. According to the police, Akinwande is one of the most wanted criminals in recent Lagos history.
In a statement released by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the arrest was hailed as a major breakthrough in the ongoing battle to combat violent crime and restore security within the state. The arrest took place on June 20, 2025, following a meticulously planned special operation by the Tactical Squad, code-named Silence, Speed and Surprise.
CSP Hundeyin revealed that Akinwande was captured at his hideout in the Agbado area of Ogun State after a prolonged manhunt by police operatives. For nearly fifteen years, from 2009 to 2024, he and his gang have been responsible for a wave of violent crimes including armed robberies, kidnappings, cold-blooded murders, and cult-related killings, primarily terrorizing residents in Mushin and its neighboring communities.
The suspect’s criminal exploits have caused immense trauma and fear, disrupting the peace and safety of countless families. Despite numerous attempts to evade law enforcement by fleeing across various states, the Lagos State Police Command maintained relentless pressure to bring him to justice.
Following the arrest, police raided Akinwande’s residence in Mushin, uncovering an arsenal of deadly weapons and incriminating items directly linked to his violent activities.
The cache included two AK-47 rifles, one K2 assault rifle, one Red Ryder rifle, three pump-action rifles, two locally made single-barrel pistols, five magazines, and a substantial quantity of live ammunition consisting of fifty-seven cartridges, seventy rounds of 5.56 caliber ammo, twenty-seven 9mm bullets, as well as an expended 5.56 round.
Additionally, officers recovered a dagger, three walkie-talkies, and nine international passports belonging to various individuals, believed to be used by Akinwande and his network for their operations.
In response to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has tasked the Deputy Commissioner of Police heading the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to lead a specialized team of detectives. Their mandate is to expand investigations, identify other suspects connected to Akinwande’s criminal enterprise, and ensure their prompt prosecution.
Already, four families have stepped forward to identify Wasiu Akinwande as the perpetrator behind the brutal killings of their loved ones. CP Jimoh reassured Lagosians that the safety and security of residents remain paramount to the Police Command.
He praised the courage and dedication of all officers involved in the operation and called on the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to assist law enforcement efforts.
Currently, Wasiu Akinwande is held under heavy police guard and is expected to face the full force of the law for his numerous heinous crimes. The Lagos State Police Command vows to sustain its commitment to eradicating violent crime and making Lagos a safe and secure environment for all inhabitants and visitors.