Nigerian Man Joins U.S. ’15 Most Wanted’ List for Child Abuse and Murder; Reward of $25,000 Available

Nigerian Man Added to U.S. Marshals’ “15 Most Wanted” List for Alleged Murder and Child Abuse

A Nigerian man sought by authorities in Rhode Island for murder, severe child abuse, and unlawful flight from prosecution has been included in the U.S. Marshals Service’s “15 Most Wanted” list. A reward of up to $25,000 is available for information leading to his capture.

Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, 48, faces first-degree murder charges along with two counts of serious bodily injury to a child. This follows a harrowing incident on April 3, 2017, when emergency responders in Providence discovered his 3-month-old son suffering from severe injuries at a home. The infant was in cardiac arrest and required immediate resuscitation to regain vital signs. A medical examination revealed that he had endured 18 injuries that displayed signs of long-term abuse, including a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, and multiple fractures across various parts of his body. Tragically, despite being placed on life support, the child passed away six months later.

Olawusi was initially charged with first-degree child abuse on April 20, 2017. He was taken into custody but released the same day, prompting him to flee. The charges against him escalated to murder following the child’s death on October 31, 2017. In November of that year, both the Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office sought the assistance of the U.S. Marshals to locate him. Investigations indicated that Olawusi had left the United States via John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on June 20, 2017, using his Nigerian passport. Authorities suspect he may be receiving support from family members in Nigeria and have voiced concerns that he poses a danger to other children.

“Mr. Olawusi is wanted for the abuse and murder of an innocent child, and he has evaded justice by fleeing the country,” U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis stated. “We have placed Mr. Olawusi on our 15 Most Wanted list because of the horrific nature of his crimes and the ongoing threat he represents to the public. The U.S. Marshals Service will commit all necessary resources to bring him to justice for the child’s family and the community at large.”

Olawusi, who is also known as Olekun Olawusi, stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs around 185 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information regarding Olawusi’s whereabouts is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or through the USMS Tips App.

The “15 Most Wanted” fugitive program, established in 1983, identifies some of America’s most dangerous fugitives, many of whom have extensive criminal histories and pose significant threats to public safety. Individuals on this list are considered the “worst of the worst,” and can include murderers, sex offenders, major drug traffickers, organized crime figures, and high-profile financial criminals. Since its creation, the program has aided in the capture of over 250 fugitives.

The U.S. Marshals Service has a longstanding tradition of cooperating with various law enforcement agencies on fugitive cases. In collaboration with federal, state, tribal, and local authorities, USMS-led task forces apprehended over 73,000 fugitives and resolved nearly 86,000 warrants in FY 2023.