Hired Assassin Confesses to Botched Acid Attack in Lagos

LAGOS – A chilling confession has emerged from Ziaulihak Zakari, a 37-year-old suspect known as “Abuja,” who admitted to accepting a N500,000 contract to disfigure a woman with acid. The plot, however, took a horrific turn when Zakari targeted the wrong person, leaving an innocent spa employee with life-altering injuries.

​The victim, Olorunseunfunmi Awosogbon, was attacked on October 25, 2025, in the Lakowe area of Ibeju-Lekki. Awosogbon had been dispatched by her employer to attend to a “home service” request near Lakowe Golf Gate. Upon arrival, she was doused with a corrosive substance that caused severe chemical burns to her head, chest, and hands.

​A Case of Mistaken Identity

​Investigations launched by the Lagos State Police Command revealed a twisted motive behind the violence. The intended target was reportedly Awosogbon’s employer, Olorunmaye Ifeoluwa. According to Ifeoluwa, the attack was the culmination of a bitter dispute following the dissolution of a short-lived romantic relationship with one of the suspects.

​In a video statement that surfaced recently, Zakari detailed the logistics of the hit. “A man named Daniel reached out to me through a security guard,” Zakari confessed. “He said he needed someone to pour acid on someone, and I agreed.”

​Zakari admitted to a failed first attempt due to fear, but during the second opportunity, he mistook Awosogbon for her employer. For his role in the crime, Zakari received N500,000, from which he paid a N50,000 “finder’s fee” to the security guard who facilitated the connection.

​Legal Proceedings

​Zakari and his alleged accomplice, Owolabi Daniel, have been arraigned before the Ebute-Metta Magistrate Court. The charges against them include:

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• ​Conspiracy to commit felony (Section 411, Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015).
• ​Threats to life via digital communication (Section 232).
• ​Unlawful causing of grievous bodily harm via corrosive substance (Section 246).

​The prosecution also presented evidence of threatening WhatsApp messages sent by Daniel to Ifeoluwa prior to the attack.

​Aftermath and Remorse

​While Zakari expressed remorse during his confession, the victim continues to undergo treatment for the extensive injuries sustained in the October ambush. Zakari was apprehended by authorities on March 19, 2026, following a months-long investigation into the syndicate.

​The court has adjourned the case as the judiciary weighs the gravity of the assault, which has once again sparked public outcry regarding the ease of access to corrosive substances and the rise of contract violence in the state.