The Bayelsa State Police Command has successfully apprehended the detained/” title=”NDLEA Cracks Down: Kano Drug Kingpin Arrested Following Detention of 3 Nigerians in Saudi Arabia Over Tagged Bags”>individual suspected of murdering 42-year-old estate agent Richard Ekpebu.
Ekpebu was kidnapped and subsequently killed, with his remains discovered abandoned in a bush on July 24, 2025.
The prime suspect, George Idumangi, hailing from Ogbia Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, was detained on Monday, September 22, in Lagos while attempting to obtain an international passport at the Immigration Office.
According to reports, the Bayelsa Commissioner of Police, CP Francis Idu, assigned the investigation to Operation Puff Adder, under the leadership of CSP Chris Nwaogbo.
Officers from Operation Puff Adder tracked Idumangi across multiple locations in Lagos, including Lekki, Ikorodu, Festac, Ikeja, and Orile, before finally capturing him on Monday.
Although the police narrowly missed arresting him at several hideouts, they recovered a bag containing a T-shirt labeled “IYC Tactical Team” and two mobile phones believed to be connected to the estate agent’s murder.
Earlier, the police had also detained 23-year-old Victory Benard Henry, reportedly Idumangi’s girlfriend, in Yenagoa. Confiscated items from her possession included a pump-action rifle, five live rounds, two empty AK-47 magazines, ten walkie-talkies with chargers, and three AK-47 slings.
Investigations suggest that Victory enticed the late Ekpebu under the guise of negotiating a land sale. She introduced him to Idumangi, who then connected with a prospective buyer. The buyer reportedly transferred N9 million directly into Idumangi’s bank account.
Initial police findings indicate that Victory received N1 million as compensation for her involvement.
Complications arose when the buyer requested the land ownership documents from Ekpebu, who claimed ignorance of the transaction.
A police insider explained, “The buyer reached out to the agent for the necessary papers. The agent directed him to the landowner, stating he was unaware of the deal. Instead of informing the agent, the buyer paid the suspect directly.”
Following this, Ekpebu confronted Idumangi, warning him against falsely claiming possession of the land documents. Subsequently, Idumangi, along with accomplices Victor Shadrack (known as Doggy) and another individual called Insurance, allegedly lured Ekpebu from his home, abducted, and murdered him to conceal their deceit that the agent had fled with the documents.
CP Francis Idu confirmed the arrest, stating, “Through diligent intelligence gathering and law enforcement efforts, Mr. George Idumangi, responsible for the murder of Mr. Richard Ekpebu at Bayelsa Palm, was apprehended this morning in Lagos while attempting to escape the country. This success is a testament to effective intelligence work. I appreciate the support of the people of Bayelsa and the Prosperity Government.”
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