How a 1987 magazine cover captured Nigeria’s shocking police corruption scandal involving DSP George Iyamu and armed robber Lawrence Anini
The Cover That Shook a Nation
The image shows the ThisWeek magazine cover dated January 26, 1987, boldly featuring Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) George Iyamu under the headline: “IYAMU: THE POLICE ON TRIAL.” This issue captured a defining moment in Nigerian history — the exposure of deep corruption within the nation’s law enforcement during the 1980s.
The story behind the cover was both sensational and tragic. It chronicled how DSP George Iyamu, once a respected officer of the Nigeria Police Force, became a symbol of betrayal when he was found guilty of collaborating with the country’s most feared armed robber at the time, Lawrence Nomanyagbon Anini, popularly known as “The Law.”
Background: A Respected Officer Turned Criminal Ally
George Iyamu was a Deputy Superintendent of Police serving in the Bendel State Police Command (now Edo and Delta States). Born in Edo State, Iyamu was known among colleagues for his intelligence and influence within the police structure.
However, his reputation began to crumble when the authorities uncovered his secret dealings with the Anini robbery gang — a group responsible for a wave of violent robberies and killings that terrorised southern Nigeria throughout 1986.
Investigations revealed that Iyamu was supplying arms, confidential information, and protection to the gang. He tipped them off about police operations and ensured their safe passage through security checkpoints. In return, he received cash and stolen goods from their operations.
For many Nigerians, the discovery of Iyamu’s involvement shattered faith in the police. The idea that a senior officer was aiding one of the most wanted criminals in the nation was both horrifying and emblematic of a system plagued by corruption.
The Anini Saga: Nigeria’s Notorious Robber
To understand the magnitude of Iyamu’s betrayal, one must recall the terror spread by Lawrence Anini, whose gang’s operations turned the streets of Benin City and surrounding areas into zones of fear.
Anini and his men carried out armed robberies, bank raids, and targeted attacks on both civilians and security personnel. Their crimes were so audacious that then-Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, publicly demanded from the Inspector-General of Police, Etim Inyang, “Where is Anini?” — a question that embarrassed the entire police force.
When Anini was finally captured on December 3, 1986, his arrest opened a floodgate of confessions that led investigators straight to DSP Iyamu. The police officer’s name appeared repeatedly as a protector, supplier, and insider in the criminal enterprise.
Trial and Conviction
A special military tribunal was convened in Benin City in late 1986 to try Anini, Iyamu, and other members of the gang. The trial attracted national attention, filling courtrooms and dominating headlines across Nigeria.
During the proceedings, Iyamu was accused of “procuring the commission of armed robbery and murder” — a grave charge under Nigeria’s anti-robbery laws at the time. Witnesses, including fellow gang members, testified against him, revealing how he sold weapons to the gang and shielded them from arrest.
Despite his efforts to deny the allegations, the tribunal found him guilty on January 9, 1987. His conviction symbolised a long-awaited moment of justice in a country where police misconduct often went unpunished.
DSP George Iyamu was executed by firing squad on February 15, 1987, at the Oko Prison in Benin City. Barely six weeks later, Lawrence Anini and his right-hand man, Monday Osunbor, met the same fate on March 29, 1987.
Their executions were broadcast across the country as a public warning — a statement that corruption, even within the police, would not be tolerated. It was one of the most high-profile cases of accountability in Nigeria’s criminal justice history.
For many Nigerians, the fall of Iyamu represented both justice and tragedy: justice for the victims of Anini’s terror, and tragedy for a nation forced to confront the reality of systemic rot within its police force.
Legacy and Lessons
Nearly four decades later, the story of DSP George Iyamu remains a cautionary tale about power, corruption, and moral decay. His betrayal of the police oath damaged public trust and exposed how internal corruption can enable crime rather than prevent it.
The ThisWeek magazine cover endures as a stark reminder of this dark period — an era when the line between law enforcement and criminal enterprise blurred dangerously. It also marks one of the earliest instances of Nigerian investigative journalism helping to shape national accountability discourse.
The case pushed the government to reform aspects of police oversight and triggered renewed public demand for ethical conduct within security agencies.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, on Friday, urged motorists who are participating in the fasting periods, to ensure that they take rest at intervals, to avoid road crashes.
The FRSC Commander in-charge of the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway corridor, Mr Nasir Mohammed, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ota.
He noted that the advice had become expedient following the commencement of fasting periods by both Christian and Muslim faithfuls.
NAN reports that Catholic faithfuls had commenced lenten season with the distribution of Ash on Wednesday, which period is marked by 40 days fasting.
In the same vein, Muslim faithfuls had also began observation of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar, which period is also marked by fasting.
Mohammed urged motorists to be cautious of fatigue and possible dehydration during the fasting periods, and ensure that they take hours of rest before returning to the steering.
He also warned motorists against over speeding and wrongful overtaking, which could lead to tragedy, adding that drivers must strictly adhere to all safety rules while on the road.
“We are appealing to motorists, especially Muslims and Christians who are fasting, to always observe the rest after every four hours of driving, to prevent avoidable loss of lives.
“Also, all motorists are enjoined to drive to stay alive; Wishing all safer roads and fuller life.” he said.
Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye has disclosed that the Nigerian Tiktoker, simply identified as Mirable, has been admitted to a State-owned health facility, and is currently receiving comprehensive medical attention.
Adeleye added that an investigation had begun and the survivor is presently receiving psychosocial support, and is responding positively to medical treatment.
The commissioner stated this on Thursday night shortly after visiting the survivor at the health facility, in the company of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and the Medical Director of the facility.
According to her, the visit was aimed at assessing the survivor’s condition and ensuring that appropriate medical and welfare interventions were promptly administered.
The Commissioner praised the personnel at the State-owned medical facility and the State Ministry of Justice for their quick response, as well as the Nigeria Police Force and Ogun State Police Command for their rapid and timely action as soon as the case was transferred to the State.
“This structured approach is intended to protect the survivor’s welfare while guaranteeing that investigations are conducted professionally, thoroughly, and strictly on the basis of verifiable evidence”, Adeleye said.
She added that detailed examinations and all required clinical procedures are being carried out in line with established standards for managing cases of alleged sexual assault, while the security agency is carrying out their investigation simultaneously.
“The welfare, dignity, and safety of every survivor remains our utmost priority. The Prince Dapo Abiodun led- administration maintains a zero-tolerance stance on sexual and gender-based violence, stressing that “while we stand firmly with survivors, we are equally guided by due process.
“Investigations must be evidence-based, transparent, and fair to all parties involved, even as whosoever is found wanting would be made to face the full wrath of the law,” she said.
She urged residents to steer clear of speculative narratives or sensational commentary that could compromise due process while assuring them that the State Government would get to the bottom of the issue to ascertain the veracity of the claim.
Meanwhile, she assured members of the public that further updates would be communicated at the appropriate time as credible findings emerge from ongoing investigations.
Nigerian TikToker, known simply as Mirabel has finally opened up on the allegation of rape she earlier raised in a viral video.
It was recalls that the content creator, with the username @mirab351 had, alleged that she was sexually assaulted by an unknown man at her residence in Ogun State.
She claimed that the alleged rapist inflicted an injury on her privates with a blade.
Her story generated reactions across social media, causing the Nigeria Police to swing into action.
Some netizens, however, expressed scepticism on the factuality of the allegation, stating that the stories were not adding up.
But the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said on Thursday that the command was investigating the matter.
However, Mirabel, who opened up to Popular social media activist, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, VDM said she had been into drugs and could be hallucinating.
