Lagos Police have arrested a 25-year-old data scientist for allegedly orchestrating an acid attack on his former girlfriend that tragically left an innocent salesgirl blind.
According to reports, the suspect, who resides in Lakwe in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos, allegedly plotted the attack after his relationship with his girlfriend ended in October 2025.
Investigations revealed that the suspect, angered by the breakup, hired an unidentified accomplice—currently at large—and allegedly paid him ₦500,000 to attack the woman. However, the hired attacker reportedly did not know the intended target and mistakenly poured acid on a salesgirl at the woman’s shop, believing she was the ex-girlfriend.
The victim suffered severe injuries and reportedly lost her sight following the attack. She is currently battling for her life at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos, where medical treatment has reportedly exceeded ₦40 million.
Authorities said the suspect had allegedly sent threatening messages to his former partner before the incident and continued doing so even after the attack occurred.
Police investigators later tracked the suspect through his phone number, leading to his arrest.
During interrogation, the suspect—said to be a master’s degree holder—reportedly admitted to hiring the attacker after discovering that his former girlfriend was no longer interested in the relationship and may have begun seeing someone else.
“I felt emotionally hurt, so I hired a man and paid ₦500,000. I only asked him to help me ‘deal with her,’ not to pour acid on her. He went to her shop and attacked an innocent person, who is her employee,” the suspect reportedly confessed.
Police authorities say efforts are ongoing to apprehend the accomplice, while investigations into the case continue.
