Unveiling The Story of Ishola Oyenusi: One Of Nigeria’s Deadliest Armed Robber in the 1970s

Unveiling The Story of Ishola Oyenusi: One Of Nigeria’s Deadliest Armed Robbers in the 1970s

Ishola Oyenusi, better known as Doctor Oyenusi, gained notoriety as a ruthless armed robber who instilled fear among the residents of Lagos and its neighboring cities in the 1970s. Alongside his gang of six highly skilled criminals, Oyenusi engaged in car snatching, bank robberies, factory raids, store heists, and merciless killings. CONTINUE READING

Despite his moniker, Doctor Oyenusi was not a medical professional; he simply adopted the title for amusement. His confession minutes before his execution revealed that his parents lacked the means to support his secondary education, which ultimately led him down the path of robbery. Therefore, without any formal schooling beyond secondary level, it is clear that Oyenusi could not have been a doctor.

Oyenusi’s infamy surged following the conclusion of the Nigerian civil war in 1970. He fearlessly robbed banks and individuals during both daylight and nighttime, leaving no survivors among his victims. This earned him the chilling nickname of “Doctor Rob and Kill.” During his reign of terror, Oyenusi boldly declared that “the bullet has no power,” seemingly forgetting the age-old adage that those who live by the sword shall perish by it.

The Capture: However, as the Yoruba proverb states, every day belongs to the thief, but a day belongs to the owner. On March 27, 1971, Oyenusi was apprehended by the police during a robbery operation that resulted in the killing of Police Constable Mr. Nwi and the theft of $28,000 at the time.

A cloud of shame enveloped Doctor Ishola Oyenusi as he faced the law, was found guilty, and subsequently sentenced to death by firing squad. During his confession, Oyenusi revealed that he was not acting alone and implicated his accomplices: Joseph Osamedike, Ambrose Nwokobia, Joel Amamieye, Philip Ogbolumain, Ademola Adegbitan, and Stephen Ndubuokwu.

At the time, public executions were common, so when Oyenusi was taken to the infamous Bar Beach in Lagos for his execution, over 30,000 eager Nigerians gathered to witness the downfall of the man who had terrorized them. Some civil servants even brought a coffin to the execution site, mocking the once mighty robber kingpin reduced to a mere scapegoat counting his last breaths.

Despite sweating profusely, Oyenusi managed to maintain a smile throughout the ordeal. Yet, beneath that smile, the agony and terror were unmistakable on his face.

As the soldiers lined up, their guns aimed, some of the condemned criminals defiantly shouted their last words of protest at the cameras. Then, a commanding voice uttered the word “fire”! Bullets rained down upon Oyenusi and his fellow criminals, sealing their fate.

That marked the bitter end of Ishola Oyenusi, a man who lived and died by the gun. The execution sent shockwaves through the streets of Lagos, leading families to lock themselves behind closed doors out of fear of potential retaliation from Oyenusi’s associates.