The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested the prime suspect in the abduction and murder of 42-year-old estate agent, Richard Ekpebu, whose body was found in a bush on July 24, 2025.
The suspect, identified as George Idumangi, a native of Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was arrested on Monday at the Lagos Immigration Office while allegedly attempting to obtain an international passport to escape from the country.
Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, had earlier transferred the case to Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, for discreet investigation. According to security sources, operatives trailed Idumangi across several parts of Lagos, including Lekki, Ikorodu, Festac, Ikeja and Orile, before eventually apprehending him. During earlier raids, the police reportedly missed him by minutes but recovered a bag containing an “IYC Tactical Team” T-shirt and two mobile phones allegedly linked to the crime.
Before Idumangi’s arrest, police had taken 23-year-old Victory Benard Henry, believed to be his girlfriend, into custody in Yenagoa. Items recovered from her include a pump-action rifle, five live cartridges, two empty AK-47 magazines, 10 walkie-talkies, 10 chargers, and three AK-47 rifle slings.
Investigations revealed that Victory allegedly lured Ekpebu into a fraudulent land transaction, introducing him to Idumangi, who collected ₦9 million from a supposed buyer. Victory was said to have received ₦1 million for her role. The deal collapsed when the buyer demanded land documents, which Ekpebu denied knowledge of, directing the buyer to the true property owner. This sparked a confrontation with Idumangi.
Police findings further indicated that Idumangi, in company of Victor Shadrack (alias Doggy) and another accomplice identified only as Insurance, abducted and killed Ekpebu to conceal their fraudulent scheme and give the impression that the estate agent had fled with the documents.
Confirming the arrest, CP Idu stated:
“After painstaking intelligence and coordinated operations, Mr. George Idumangi, the mastermind behind the murder of Mr. Richard Ekpebu at Bayelsa Palm, was arrested this morning in Lagos while attempting to flee the country. This success reflects the resilience of our officers, and I commend the good people of Bayelsa and the Prosperity Government for their support.”
The police said investigations are ongoing to track down the other accomplices still on the run.
Comments
Post a Comment