“I got ₦500,000 to bathe spa worker with acid” — Suspect confesses in Lagos attack case

A 37-year-old man, Ziaulihak Zakari, has admitted to being paid ₦500,000 to carry out an acid attack on a spa worker in the Lakowe area of Lagos State, an incident that left the victim with severe injuries.

The victim, Olorunseunfunmi Awosogbon, sustained burns to her head, chest, and hands after she was attacked on October 25, 2025 while attending a home service appointment booked through her workplace. The booking was made for Lakowe Golf Gate, near Utmost Care Hospital, where the assault took place.

Investigations suggest Awosogbon was not the intended target of the attack.

Her employer, Olorunmaye Ifeoluwa, linked the incident to a personal dispute involving a former relationship with one of the suspects alleged to have coordinated the attack.

According to court filings, Zakari and another suspect, Owolabi Daniel, have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ebute-Metta on charges including conspiracy, threat to life, and causing bodily harm.

Zakari, who was arrested on March 19, 2026, appeared in a video interview where he said he was recruited through a chain involving a security guard and another man identified as Daniel.

He said he initially hesitated to carry out the act but later accepted the job. He also stated that he mistakenly attacked the wrong person.

“The man said he had a job and needed someone to pour acid on a person. I agreed,” Zakari said. “I was paid ₦500,000, and I gave ₦50,000 to the security guard who connected me.”

He added that the acid was provided by those who recruited him and expressed regret over the incident.

Court documents indicate the suspects allegedly conspired in October 2025 in Lakowe, Ibeju-Lekki, to commit offences including threats to life and causing harm, contrary to provisions of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

Owolabi Daniel is also accused of sending threatening messages to Ifeoluwa via WhatsApp, while Zakari faces charges of unlawfully causing grievous harm by pouring a corrosive substance on Awosogbon.

The case remains before the court as proceedings continue.