By Ayo Kehinde
A Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Lagos, has ordered the remand of a suspected serial killer and cult kingpin, Wasiu Akinwande, popularly known as “Olori Eso”, at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
Akinwande was arraigned on Tuesday before Magistrate M.O. Tanimola by the Police Command in Lagos State on an 11-count charge bordering on serial killings, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms.
The Spokesperson of the Command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the court ordered Akinwande’s remand until September 4, 2025.
“Wasiu Akinwande aka Olori Eso has been remanded to @CorrectionsNg facility, Kirikiri till September 4, 2025”, Hundeyin disclosed to journalists.
The 44-year-old suspect, described as one of the most wanted criminals in recent Lagos history, was arrested on June 20 at his hideout in Agbado, Ogun State, by the Police Tactical Squad.
The prosecutor, DSP Nosa Uhumwangho, told the court that the suspect was arrested during a special operation code-named ‘Silence, Speed and Surprise’ after several failed attempts.
According to the prosecutor, weapons recovered from Akinwande include nine AK-47 rifles, two pump actions, two locally-made pistols and ammunition. The guns and other weapons, the prosecutor said, were recovered from the Mushin residence of the suspect after his arrest. He said Olori Eso was using the weapons and other incriminating items for his criminal operations.
“The suspect, with his multiple gangs, had led several violent operations in Mushin and environs, causing chaos from 2009 to 2024. His criminal reign spread fear among residents and posed a significant threat to peace and order in Lagos communities”, he said.
The prosecutor alleged that the police operatives raided his Mushin residence and recovered a cache of weapons and incriminating items used during his criminal operations.
“Recovered items include nine AK-47 rifles, two pump actions and two locally-made pistols. Also recovered were five magazines, 57 live cartridges, 70 5.56mm ammunition, 27 9mm rounds, one expended 5.56mm shell, a dagger and three walkie-talkies. Police also found 13 international passports with valid visas belonging to different individuals during the raid on his residence”, he said.
Police said the suspect confessed to using the weapons during his criminal operations.
According to him, four families have already identified him as the suspect responsible for the killings of their children and relatives.
