The Lagos State Police Command has achieved a major breakthrough in its fight against violent crime with the arrest of Wasiu Akinwande, popularly known as Olori Eso, a 44-year-old notorious hired killer and leader of a ruthless gang that has terroriaed the Mushin area and its environs for over a decade.
The arrest took place on June 20, 2025, following a meticulously planned and executed operation by the Command’s Tactical Squad, code-named “Silence, Speed and Surprise.” Akinwande was apprehended at his hideout in Agbado, Ogun State, after years of evading law enforcement.
Wasiu Akinwande’s reign of terror, spanning from 2009 to 2024, involved orchestrating and carrying out a series of armed robberies, cold-blooded murders, kidnappings, and cult-related killings that instilled fear and insecurity among residents of Lagos State, particularly in Mushin.
His criminal activities have left deep scars on the families of his victims, with at least four families already identifying him as responsible for the deaths of their loved ones.
During the operation, the police recovered an alarming arsenal of sophisticated firearms and other incriminating items from Akinwande’s residence.
These 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, fifty-seven live cartridges, seventy rounds of 5.56 ammunition, twenty-seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, one expended 5.56 cartridge, a dagger, three walkie-talkies, and nine international passports belonging to different individuals.
Akinwande reportedly admitted to using these weapons in his violent criminal activities.
Speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Police Command, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to lead a team of specially selected detectives to expand the investigation and ensure that all other suspects connected to Akinwande’s gang are brought to justice. Hundeyin emphasised that the arrest marks a significant victory in the ongoing effort to restore peace and security in Lagos State.
CSP Hundeyin further reassured Lagosians that their safety remains the top priority of the Police Command. He commended the bravery and dedication of the officers involved in the operation and urged the public to continue supporting the police by providing timely and credible information to aid crime-fighting efforts.
Wasiu Akinwande is currently in police custody under heavy security and will face the full weight of the law for his numerous crimes.
The Lagos State Police Command remains resolute in its mission to make Lagos a safe and secure environment for all residents and visitors, calling on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station as investigations continue.
