A 37-year-old man, Ziaulihak Zakari, popularly known as Abuja, has allegedly confessed to receiving N500,000 to carry out an acid attack on a female spa worker in the Lakowe area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro reports that the victim, Olorunseunfunmi Awosogbon, sustained severe injuries to her head, chest and hands during the attack, which occurred on October 25, 2025.

Awosogbon had reportedly honoured a home service request booked through the spa where she worked. The appointment was scheduled at Lakowe Golf Gate, near Utmost Care Hospital, where the incident took place.

Findings, however, indicate that she was not the intended target.

Her employer, Olorunmaye Ifeoluwa, told PUNCH Metro that the attack was linked to a dispute involving a former relationship between her and another suspect alleged to have hired Zakari.

She said the relationship, which lasted a few months, was characterised by disagreements before it ended.

Zakari and one Owolabi Daniel have since been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ebute-Metta on charges bordering on conspiracy, threat to life and causing bodily harm.

In a video obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, Zakari—who was reportedly arrested on March 19, 2026—admitted he was recruited for the attack but mistakenly assaulted the wrong person.

“There is a man named Daniel who contacted me through a security guard and told me he had a job. When he said he needed someone to pour acid on a person, I agreed,” he said.

“I couldn’t carry it out the first time because I was scared. When another opportunity came, I mistook the target and attacked the wrong person.

“The acid was procured by the man and the security guard. I was paid N500,000 for the job and gave the security guard N50,000 for linking me up,” he added, expressing regret over his actions.

According to the charge sheet, the suspects allegedly conspired in October 2025 at Lakowe, Ibeju-Lekki, to commit felony, including threats to life and causing harm, contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

It further alleged that Owolabi threatened Ifeoluwa’s life via WhatsApp messages, an offence punishable under Section 232 of the same law.

Zakari was also accused of unlawfully wounding Awosogbon by pouring a corrosive substance on her, contrary to Section 246 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (The PUNCH)

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