Six suspects arrested over killing of Gulder Ultimate Search winner, Hector

THE Lagos State Police Command, on Thursday, announced the arrest of six persons allegedly involved in the killing of Hector Jobarteh, winner of third edition of Guilder Ultimate Search.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Edgal Imohimi, announced the arrest to newsmen in Lagos, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Imohimi said one of the suspects arrested was an Uber driver who carried the suspected killers while the others were found with the victim’s cell phone.

He said that one of the suspects was still at large and efforts were being made to arrest and prosecute him.
Speaking to NAN, one of the suspects, Williams Igana, the Uber driver, said that he had driven some men who threatened him with gun to Abeokuta but never knew that they were killers.

“I was looking for an Android phone when my brother, Valentine, linked me with one JK. It was JK that called me to drive them to Yaba from Cement and I was paid N8,000 after I charged them N10,000.

“The next day, JK called me again to take them to Abeokuta and I charged them N20,000. On the way, we stopped at Sango and two other men joined us.

“We later stopped by at a nearby bush and JK ordered one of the men to bring out a nylon bag which had a gun inside.
“That was when I tried running away but I was threatened and ordered back into the car.

“I was later arrested through my younger brother who had gone to sell a stolen phone later identified as the victim’s phone,” Igana said.

Meanwhile, family members, friends and well-wishers of the late Hector gathered, on Thursday, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to bid him farewell at the funeral ceremony organised in his honour.

A wake service was held at the Government College, Ibadan, where he was an alumnus (1989-1994), before he was interred at the Saint James Anglican Church cemetery, Idi Oro, Elewa, Ologuneru, a suburb in the Oyo State capital.

Reverend Adekunle Ojo of St. James Church, in his sermon, admonished everyone to be ready to heed the call of death as it could visit at any time.

While consoling the family of the deceased, he urged them to always hold the memory of Hector dear, encouraging them to remain steadfast with the hope of a brighter and better future.

His brother, Victor, sisters and other family members in attendance were distraught, and shed tears uncontrollably especially when Hector’s body was to be lowered into his grave.

His wife, reacting to his death, had written: “I don’t think I am ready to say goodbye. Apparently, I am not the only one who loves you. My phone has been continuously flooded with calls and messages and I am still trying to respond to them. I finally get your selflessness and the need to be there for extended family without considering hours or distance… Feel free to steal my idea and pop over anytime to say hi, just be sure you aren’t dressed in your normal shorts. Until we meet again, thanks for the love, hugs and kisses.”

His mother had also said: “My first son, your first cup of water, my joy and pride, very gentle. He could never hurt even a fly. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

His colleagues, among them fellow winners of the GUS competition, also spoke glowingly about the late Hector.
Dominic Mudabai, winner GUS IV and Michael Nwachukwu, winner GUS V in separate interviews, described him as a helper, who was always ready to show support and solidarity to anything or anyone.