The Lagos State Police Command has declared a 38-year-old businessman, Ahmed Akanbi, wanted in connection with the brutal killings of two men in separate incidents within the Eti Osa Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, announced the declaration on Thursday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja.
According to the police chief, the development follows the arrest and confessional statements of two key suspects linked to the murders. The suspects, Safiu Fatai, also known as Fabo, aged 40, and Yusuf Ismaila, alias Bariga, were arrested on January 24 and February 6, 2026, respectively, after investigations were reopened based on fresh intelligence.
Jimoh revealed that the suspects admitted involvement in the murder of Sheriff Salami Ishola, 37, who was killed on April 18, 2023, in Moba Town, Eti Osa. The suspects also confessed to killing Prince Ademola Akinloye, 38, son of the Ojomu of Ajiran Land, Oba Adetunji Akinloye, on August 26, 2024, along Chevron Road, Ajiran.
“The suspects, along with two others identified as Soji Mascot and Kenny, ambushed Ishola while armed with a locally made pistol, an axe, and machetes,” the police commissioner said.
Ishola was reportedly dragged into an abandoned building on Mobile Road in Moba, Ajah, restrained, and shot multiple times, leading to his death. Investigations revealed that Safiu Fatai held the victim down while others carried out the shooting.
In the second incident, Prince Ademola Akinloye was killed using a similar method. The attack took place at around 11:00 a.m., and the victim sustained fatal gunshot wounds before the assailants fled the scene.
Police said the suspects confessed that the killings were executed on the instructions of Alhaji Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, the Chief Executive Officer of HAMTAJAK & HALROMALK, Ajiran, Eti Osa LGA.
Akanbi allegedly paid a total of N2 million for the murders, with N500,000 given to each principal actor shortly after the first killing. The suspects claimed they were promised additional rewards, including opportunities for foreign travel and social advancement.
Following a review of confessional statements and other prima facie evidence, the police linked Akanbi, along with Soji Mascot, Kenny, and another individual, Bode, to the crimes.
Ahmed Akanbi, aged 38, is a businessman with a last known address at Victoria Bay (Gate One), Royal Pine Estate, Orchid Road, Ikota, Lekki. He has been formally declared wanted by the Lagos State Police Command, and authorities are appealing to the public to assist in his arrest.
Commissioner Jimoh urged members of the public with information on the whereabouts of Akanbi or other suspects to contact the nearest police station or the command headquarters. He assured that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
“Law enforcement agencies are determined to bring these perpetrators to justice. We appeal to anyone with knowledge about the suspects to come forward and assist the police in our investigations,” he said.
Residents of Eti Osa Local Government Area expressed shock and concern over the killings. The violent nature of the murders, involving guns, axes, and machetes, has heightened fears in the community.
Many local residents have called for increased police presence and security measures in the area to prevent further attacks. Analysts say that violent crimes targeting prominent individuals or their families can destabilize communities and create insecurity in urban centres like Lagos.
Lagos State, despite being Nigeria’s commercial hub, has experienced a rise in violent crimes in recent years, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and targeted killings. The state police command has intensified operations in high-risk areas, especially around Eti Osa, Lekki, and Ajiran, which are known for high-value residential estates and commercial activities.
The police have previously credited community intelligence as vital in tracking and apprehending criminals. In this case, the reopening of investigations and the subsequent confessions of suspects underscore the importance of intelligence-led policing.
Authorities said that the investigation involved reviewing old case files, cross-referencing intelligence reports, and interrogating multiple suspects. The confessions obtained from Safiu Fatai and Yusuf Ismaila have provided critical leads that pointed to Akanbi as the alleged mastermind.
“The suspects have provided sufficient information that links Akanbi and other accomplices to the crimes,” Jimoh said. “We are following all leads to ensure that justice is served.”
