Metro

Police Arraign Lagos ‘Most Wanted Vicious’ Suspected Hired Killer

Published

3 weeks ago

August 5, 2025

A suspected hired assassin, Wasiu Akinwande, arrested by the operatives of the Lagos State Police Command, is currently being arraigned at the Ogba Magistrate Court, Ogba area of the state, on 11 counts bordering on murder, unlawful possession of arms, and felony, among others.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement sent to The PUNCH on Tuesday.

According to The PUNCH, 44-year-old Akinwande, popularly known as Olori Eso, and described as the “most wanted vicious and notorious hired killer”, 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 the Agbado area of Ogun State.

Hundeyin had stated that Akinwande, who is known for terrorising Mushin and surrounding areas, was trailed to Ogun after efforts to nab him were unsuccessful.

The command had also recovered exhibits comprising of large cache of weapons and incriminating items from Akinwande’s residence, which the suspect “freely admitted he was using for his killing operations with his gang.”

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

He continued that the offences Akinwande were charged with included the alleged murder of Bankole Yusuf and Ramadan Yusuf on July 31, 2024, in the Mushin area of the state.

Another of the counts stated that on December 9, 2010, the suspect killed 10-year-old Aminat Lateef, who was on an errand in the Fadeyi area of Lagos State.

The charges read in part, “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.”
(PUNCH)

Metro

Man Stabs Colleague To Death In Lagos Over Money Dispute

Published

3 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Editor

A deadly confrontation occurred on Wednesday in the Mandilas area of Lagos Island, leaving one person dead after a stabbing incident.

The Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, through CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Police Public Relations Officer, clarified in a statement made available to The PUNCH that there was no tribal clash or ethnic conflict at Balogun Market, where the incident took place.

According to the police, “The Lagos State Police Command hereby wish to inform the general public that there was no tribal clash or disturbance between any ethnic groups and others inside Balogun Market today.

“There was an incident of a free-for-all fight between some hoodlums and miscreants in the Balogun Market in the early hours of today at around 11 am.

“During the fight, one Ebuka Adindu from Abia State stabbed one Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi State to death, and the said Ebuka Adindu in turn stabbed himself on the shoulder and became unconscious. He is currently under arrest in the hospital, where he is being treated.

“Investigation into the matter will be concluded, and he will be prosecuted after he has been discharged from the hospital. There was no loss of innocent lives or injury to any person or damage to the goods and properties of marketers inside Balogun Market.”

The police emphasised that no innocent lives were lost beyond the victim, no other injuries were reported, and there was no damage to goods or property at the market.

Normalcy has been restored, and residents and traders have been urged to continue their activities without fear.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, called on residents to remain law-abiding and cooperate with the police to sustain peace in the state, stressing that Lagos remains generally peaceful.

Eyewitnesses said the conflict began as a disagreement between the two men over the division of money from a recent job. The argument escalated, resulting in the fatal stabbing.

Bystanders reportedly restrained the attacker before handing him over to authorities. Tensions briefly flared again when friends of the deceased protested, but order was quickly restored.

Metro

Police Rescue 16 Kidnap Victims Along Benin-Lagos Road

Published

3 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command has rescued 16 kidnapped victims in a series of coordinated operations along the Benin–Lagos and Benin–Akure highways.

Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the operations followed separate incidents on August 23, 2025, when armed kidnappers blocked sections of the highways and abducted several travellers.

According to the statement, distress calls prompted the swift mobilisation of operatives from the Iguobazuwa and Ekiadolor Divisions, supported by tactical teams, local vigilantes, and hunters. The teams embarked on intensive bush-combing operations to track the abductors and free the victims.

It was noted in the statement that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally led the operation along the Benin–Akure axis, deploying drones and other technical support to enhance precision.

“Six victims were rescued along the Benin–Akure Road, including one with a gunshot injury who is now receiving treatment. Three more victims were freed on the Benin–Lagos Road, while an additional seven regained their freedom on August 25,” the statement read.

Agbonika commended the operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters for their collaboration, stressing that the partnership between security agencies and communities remains vital in tackling violent crime.

He assured the public that efforts are ongoing to rescue remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators, adding that the command would continue to deploy human and technological resources to secure Edo highways.

Metro

Suspected Cultists Invade Rivers Compound, Rob Students, Residents

Published

3 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Editor

Suspected cultists on Wednesday attacked a residential compound at Ekwulobia Street in the Mile 3 area of Diobu, Port Harcourt, breaking into tenants’ rooms and stealing valuables.

Two of the victims were female university students in the state.

Stolen items included laptops, mobile phones, and other personal belongings.

It was gathered that the gang, reportedly led by a man named Graham, gained access to the compound by breaking a back window and removing the iron protector.

One of the victims, David Eze, who lives on the second floor, narrated the ordeal to newsmen, saying he and other tenants are now living in fear.

He said, “I live upstairs on the second floor. Around 4 a.m., I woke up and found that my two phones and laptop were missing. I didn’t hear anything during the night, so I suspect they came in quietly.

“When I stepped out to raise the alarm, I discovered that other tenants had also been robbed.

“My door had been pierced with a knife, and someone had manipulated the lock to gain entry. They took my laptop and phones. By the time I came downstairs, security personnel and my co-tenants were already outside, reporting the incident.”

Similarly, a female resident who identified herself as Chidinma recounted a terrifying encounter

“Last night (Tuesday), I woke up to a noise and saw a young man standing beside my bed with a knife. He told me not to shout, threatening to stab me if I did. I was very scared.

“He took my phone and my brother’s two phones before leaving. It felt unreal, like a dream,” she said.

Our correspondent gathered that the hoodlums broke into four rooms in total, making away with five mobile phones, one laptop, and an unspecified amount of cash.

Two kitchen knives were left behind when the criminals fled after being chased by members of a local vigilante group who arrived at the scene.

Residents confirmed that the incident had been reported to the Azikiwe Police Division, Illabouchi, in Mile 2, Diobu.

When contacted, the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe Koko, said she would follow up with the Divisional Police Officer and provide feedback.

As of Wednesday evening, no update had been received.