Photos : See How Police Arrested ‘Ghost’ Lagos Gang Leader As Residents Celebrate

An elusive leader of a notorious gang allegedly
responsible for a wave of violence in the last
few years in Mushin area of Lagos, Wasiu
Akinwande, AKA Olori Eso, has been
apprehended by the police in a raid that has
been praised by residents of the area.
Akinwande was arrested on Tuesday, after
months on the run Saturday PUNCH learnt.
But some residents have expressed fear that he
might be released without prosecution by the
police like they did in the past.
He was said to have been arrested in January
after a renewed gang war in the area.
Akinwande was arrested by policemen from the
Area D Police Command, along with two other
members of the gang identified as Afeez
Kehinde and Mubo Jones at Daleko, Isolo and
Olosha areas of Mushin.
He was said to have been released the same
day even though residents of the area believe
there are overwhelming evidence against him.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the suspect had
once gone underground after a fake burial
ceremony was held in his honour by members
of his gang.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that earlier in 2011,
during a violent clash between Akinwande’s
gang and residents of the community, he was
also arrested but released soon after.
It was learnt that in order to allow him to go
underground, members of his gang printed his
obituary and even held a ceremony in his
honour to ‘announce’ to the Mushin
community that he was dead.
Few years later, residents said he suddenly
resurfaced to continue his alleged attacks in
the area.
In October 2015, Akinwande allegedly led a
group of his gang members on a show of force
to Ikeolu Street, Mushin. But by the time their
incursion into the area was over, a pregnant
woman named Ruka, who was selling noodles
in front of her house, had been gunned down.
Ruka’s husband, Waheed was one of the
individuals, who reacted to the arrest of
Akinwande with jubilation.
Waheed told our correspondent, “I still
remember that day like a dream. While
everybody fled, my wife had no time to flee
when Olori Eso and his gang came and started
shooting in the area that day.
“But I am happy that the principal suspect in
the murder of my wife is now in custody. I am
glad. Many residents of Mushin are also happy.
But should we continue to celebrate without
the fear that he might be released? No.
“We are celebrating but at the same time
afraid that he might be released the way he
was arrested in January and released barely
five hours after.
“You will realise that despite all the evidence
against him, despite what people here know
that he did, people around here would still be
afraid of voicing out because they know there
is the possibility of him being released to
continue unleashing mayhem in area. This is
why people are afraid to be happy that he has
been arrested.”
Saturday PUNCH learnt that an earlier murder
case against members of his gang, had
culminated in the arrest and arraignment of a
colleague of his, Alayode Abiola, AKA Aloma.
The case involved the murder of a nine-year-
old girl, Aminat Lateef, who was killed by the
gang’s stray bullet in Fadeyi, Lagos, while
returning from an errand on December 9,
2010.
At Ikeolu Street, residents reeled out
allegations against Akinwande and his gang as
they lauded his arrest.
A resident, who pleaded anonymity for fear of
reprisals, alleged, “A member of their gang,
who had just come back from prison in January
2014, decided to renounce his membership
but Olori Eso’s boys decided to kill him. The
young man escaped with a gunshot injury to
the hand.
“He was later hunted down and killed not long
after that. Few years before that, a popular
young footballer here called Isiaka, was also
killed by the members of the gang the same
day they held a peace talk with government
officials. That is how ruthless the Olori Eso’s
gang members are.”
The police have said they are hunting for other
members of Akinwande’s group.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state,
Dolapo Badmus, told Saturday PUNCH that the
police had been on his trail for a while before
he was finally nabbed on Tuesday.
“There is no iota of truth in the allegation that
he was always released after arrest. Effort is
ongoing to arrest other members of his gang
who are now on the run,” she said.