Michael Usifo Ataga: Super TV CEO murdered in Lagos Airbnb

Police has confirmed how the ‘suspected’ murder of Lagos billionaire Michael Usifo Ataga happened in Nigeiria’s commercial capital.

A lady, who is now on the run is believed to have killed the Super TV CEO, after his lifeless body was found on Thursday.

Lagos Police Commissioner Hakeem Odumosu tell told newsmen that the crime happened in a three bedroom flat at Lekki Phase 1.

“The man [Michael Usifo Ataga] joined her there on Sunday. Then on Thursday he was supposed to travel to Abuja to meet his wife for them to celebrate his 50th birthday.

“Unfortunately that day he did not come out. “He apparently locked the door and the it was forced open, his lifeless body was unfortunately found on the floor.”

“He [Michael Usifo Ataga] was found with only boxers shorts in a pool of blood,” according to the Lagos police.

Police also added that the lady with him clamed to be an American when she met the billionaire.

Reports say Ataga, who lives in Banana Island, was reported missing by concerned friends and family members on Sunday 13 June.

This was after all efforts to reach him proved unsuccessful, which put everyone in panic mode including his wife and family in Abuja.

Police told newsmen that the lady, who has disappeared into thin air, also took his phone and ATM card with her.

“It’s a block of flats for rent, but it was empty, so the owner converted the place into a short let,” CP Odumosu add.

“They stayed there for three to four straight days, going out together in the man’s car. The three bedroom flat is a service apartment”

Local media reports say DSS operatives all the way from Abuja through thebefforts of the wife, tracked down the owner of the Airbnb apartment.

The owner was said to have received payment from the lady’s bank account into which Ataga had previously made transfers into.

On the whereabouts of the suspected murderer, the police chief say:

“She made withdrawals of undisclosed amount of money from the ATM card she allegedly took from Ataga, after his death, and when we found out, we blocked the card.”

There’s no much information about her, but investigation is still on, police added.

CP Hakeem Odumosu also told reporters that they have informed the Super TV Nigeria CEO family and all concerned about the suspected murder.

“We are tracking the phone, because location [where the crime happuin] is not legally registered to provide that type of service.

“If the location is a hotel, at least the information they registered could have helped, may be CCTV could help but in this case the location is just a block of flats that is residential.”

The individual who rented the apartment to the lady on the run is in police custody and is helping with information that can lead to her arrest.

The Range Rover car, which Michael Usifo Ataga drove to the location of his murder, is with the police, CP Odumosu added.