Suspected Lagos Assassin Arraigned For Murder By Police

A suspected contract killer, Wasiu Akinwande, also known as Olori Eso, has been brought before the Ogba Magistrate Court by the Lagos State Police Command on 11 charges, which include murder, illegal possession of firearms, and other criminal offences.

The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development in a statement shared with The Punch on Tuesday.

According to The Punch, Akinwande, aged 44 and dubbed the “most wanted vicious and notorious hired killer,” was arrested during a strategic operation titled “Silence, Speed and Surprise” conducted by the Command’s Tactical Squad at his hideout in the Agbado area of Ogun State.

Akinwande, known for his violent acts in Mushin and nearby locations, had evaded arrest until he was finally tracked to Ogun State.

Authorities recovered a large number of weapons and other incriminating materials from his residence, which the suspect “freely admitted he was using for his killing operations with his gang.”

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

Among the charges is the alleged killing of Bankole Yusuf and Ramadan Yusuf on July 31, 2024, in Mushin.

Another charge alleges that he murdered 10-year-old Aminat Lateef on December 9, 2010, while she was on an errand in the Fadeyi area of Lagos.

The court documents state, “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 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 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.”