In a major breakthrough against violent crime, the Lagos State Police Command has apprehended the most wanted and deadly hired assassin in recent state history. Wasiu Akinwande, popularly known as Olori Eso, a 44-year-old cult kingpin and gang leader, was arrested on June 20, 2025, in a high-risk tactical operation carried out by the Command’s Tactical Squad. The suspect had been the mastermind behind a series of violent crimes that terrorized the Mushin area and surrounding communities for more than a decade.
The arrest was the result of a well-coordinated special operation codenamed “Silence, Speed and Surprise,” which led operatives to his hideout in Agbado, Ogun State. Akinwande had evaded capture for years, moving across state lines while continuing to orchestrate cold-blooded murders, armed robberies, abductions, and cult-related killings. His reign of terror, which began as far back as 2009, left deep psychological scars on the victims’ families and created widespread fear in affected communities.
Following his arrest, police raided his residence in Mushin, where a significant cache of weapons and incriminating materials was recovered. Items found at the scene included two AK-47 rifles, a K2 assault rifle, a Red Ryder rifle, three pump-action rifles, two locally made single-barrel pistols, five magazines, fifty-seven live cartridges, seventy rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, twenty-seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, one expended 5.56 round, a dagger, three walkie-talkies, and nine international passports belonging to different individuals. Akinwande reportedly admitted to using these weapons in the execution of various criminal operations with his gang.
So far, four families have come forward to identify him as the individual responsible for the murders of their children and loved ones. These testimonies are expected to form part of the wide-ranging investigation that has now been launched. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to lead a special team of detectives to broaden the investigation and apprehend all accomplices connected to Akinwande’s network.
CP Jimoh praised the bravery and professionalism of the officers involved in the arrest, reiterating the Command’s unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all Lagosians. He emphasized that the Lagos State Police Command remains resolute in its mission to dismantle criminal networks and ensure that the state is no safe haven for violent offenders.
Wasiu Akinwande remains in police custody under tight security and will face the full weight of the law. The Lagos State Police Command urges the public to stay vigilant and continue providing credible information that can support ongoing security efforts. The outcome of the investigation, CP Jimoh assured, will be made public in due course.