Police Arraign Alleged Lagos Hitman For Murder

A suspected contract killer, Wasiu Akinwande, has been arraigned at the Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos on 11 counts bordering on murder, unlawful possession of arms, and other felony-related charges.

The Lagos State Police Command arrested the suspect—popularly known as Olori Eso—during a coordinated tactical operation and has now brought him before the court to face justice.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the Lagos Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, revealed this in a statement sent to PUNCH Online on Tuesday.

According to PUNCH Online, 44-year-old Akinwande, described as the “most wanted vicious and notorious hired killer”, was captured during a planned tactical mission code-named ‘Silence, Speed and Surprise’, executed by the Command’s Tactical Squad. He was apprehended at his hideout in the Agbado area of Ogun State.

Hundeyin stated that Akinwande, who had been a known menace in Mushin and nearby communities, had eluded police efforts multiple times before finally being tracked down in Ogun State.

The operation also led to the recovery of weapons and other incriminating materials from the suspect’s residence, which he reportedly confessed to using in his gang’s criminal operations.

Hundeyin said, “Wasiu Akinwande, aka Olori Eso, is currently being arraigned at the Ogba Magistrate Court on an eleven-count charge.”

He further disclosed that the charges include the alleged murder of two individuals, Bankole Yusuf and Ramadan Yusuf, on July 31, 2024, in Mushin. The charge sheet also references the killing of a 10-year-old girl, Aminat Lateef, on December 9, 2010, while she was on an errand in the Fadeyi area of Lagos.

Among the charges filed against Akinwande are the following: “That you, Wasiu Akinwande, alias Olori Esho ‘m’ and others now at large, on or before the 31st day of July 2024, at Idi-araba area of Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did knowingly, unlawfully killed Ayinla ‘m’ surname unknown, Ojaja ‘m’ surname unknown and three other unknown persons (now deceased) by shooting them directly during a clash between your faction (known as unlawful society) with the AK 47 rifles in your possession and thereafter abscond to Alagbado area where you were tracked/arrested and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 223 of the Law, Ch., C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.”

“That you, Wasiu Akinwande, alias Olori Esho ‘m and others now at large, on the 31st day of July 2024, at No. 11, Mosalashi Street, Mushin, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully have in your possession K2 assault rifle with breach No. AR72739, Two AK-47 rifles with breach Nos. 0275 & 5688, Two locally made single barrel pistol, 70 rounds of 5.56 live ammunition, 27 round of 9mm live ammunition, 57 cartridges, three walkie talkies and One poisonous dagger, which you use for your unlawful activities in the society and you could not give a satisfactory account of how they came into your possession and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27(1)(a)(b)(ii) of the Firearm Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended).”

“That you, Wasiu Akinwande, alias Olori Esho ‘m’ and others now at large, on the 17th day of February 2011, at Awoniyi Street, Idi-Araba, Mushin – Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did attempt to kill one Awawu Ajalara ‘f’ aged 58 years by shooting at her both legs with an AK47 rifle in your possession and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 230(a) of the Law, Ch., C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.”

“That you, Wasiu Akinwande, alias Olori Esho m, and others now at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did unlawfully cause grievous harm to one Awawu Ajalara ‘f’ aged 58 years by shooting at her both legs with an AK47 rifle in your possession, which caused her permanent disability and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 245 of the Law, Ch., C17, Vol 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.”

The arraignment is ongoing, and police investigations are continuing in a bid to apprehend other members of the gang still at large.