Three suspects have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command over last Sunday’s assassination of Hector Oluwaseun Jobarteh, winner of the 2006 Gulder Ultimate Search, GUS, reality TV, Season 3.
Jobarteh was shot dead by unknown gunmen at his residence in New Oko-Oba, area of Lagos State.
The new Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, yesterday, said three persons are being interrogated over the killing of Jobarteh, a father of one, who was reportedly trailed to his house and shot dead.
According to reports, he had just got back from picking up his younger brother from Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, when the incident occurred.
It was gathered that the gunmen reportedly knocked on his neighbour’s door downstairs and asked who the car parked outside belonged to.
When she told them the occupant stays upstairs, they stormed his apartment and shot him.
His wife was reportedly in the United States of America when the incident occurred, but it is not clear if she had been informed of the death of her husband.
The late Jobarteh’s wife is said to be also a former GUS contestant, who just moved to New Jersey to have their second child.
Hector Jobarteh was said to have returned to Nigeria in July.
When late Hector Jobarteh won the 2006 Season 3 GUS, held in Benin, Edo State, he went home with the grand prize of N5 million and a Ford Explorer SUV.
Since winning the reality TV competition, Hector has maintained a low profile.
Giving insight into how the incident happened, Edgal, Lagos Police boss told newsmen: “Some yet-to-be identified hoodlums, pretending to be friends of the deceased, gained access into the apartment of Hector Jobarteh, 38, in the presence of his brother, one Victor Joberteh, at 8, Olufowora Close, New Oke-Oba.
“They shot the said Hector on the chest without any dialogue and fled from the scene.
“The Divisional Police Officer and a team of policemen quickly rushed to the scene after a distress call and the victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died.
“Nothing was removed from his house. The corpse was taken to Orile/Agege Hospital morgue for autopsy. Enquiries carried out from neighbours revealed that the deceased may have been a victim of business transaction that went sour.
“To us, this is a clear case of murder and all angles are being investigated. I want to use this opportunity to assure the family and indeed, Lagosians that the police will use every asset at its disposal to ensure that perpetrators of this heinous act are not only brought to book, but diligently prosecuted.”
