In the mid-1980s, fear gripped southern Nigeria. At the center of it was Lawrence Anini — a notorious armed robber so bold he called himself “The Law.” And standing beside him, in one of the country’s darkest chapters of police corruption, was a man sworn to stop him: Deputy Superintendent of Police George Iyamu.
George Iyamu was a senior officer in the Nigerian Police Force, stationed in Benin City, the capital of the then Bendel State — today’s Edo and Delta States. This was a period when armed robbery was at its peak and public trust in the police was at an all-time low.
Anini and his gang terrorized banks, highways, and even police stations across the region. They carried out brazen robberies, ambushed security operatives, and left mocking notes at crime scenes. To some desperate citizens, Anini even gained a twisted, Robin Hood-like reputation.
For months, authorities couldn’t catch Anini. The reason became clear after his arrest in late 1986: he had help from inside.
Investigations revealed that DSP George Iyamu was secretly part of Anini’s inner circle. Instead of enforcing the law, he was undermining it.
According to confessions and court records, Iyamu:
Leaked police intelligence tipping Anini off about troop movements and roadblock locations
Supplied weapons and ammunition to the gang
Shielded the criminals by using his position to help them evade arrest
Iyamu wasn’t just corrupt. He was a mole, and his betrayal explained how Anini managed to operate so freely for so long.
In 1986, under pressure from the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida, the police launched a nationwide manhunt. Anini was eventually tracked down and arrested in a dramatic operation led by Superintendent Kayode Uanreroro. He was shot in the leg and left paralyzed.
During interrogation, Anini named names. When he revealed Iyamu’s role, the nation was stunned. A senior police officer had been working with Nigeria’s most wanted criminal.
Both Anini and Iyamu were tried and found guilty of armed robbery, murder, and conspiracy.
On March 29, 1987, they were executed by firing squad alongside other members of the gang.
The case of George Iyamu remains a painful reminder of how corruption within law enforcement can embolden crime. It also marked a turning point — forcing a national conversation about accountability and reform in the Nigerian Police Force.
