Operatives of the tactical squad of Operation Puff Adder, Bayelsa State Police Command, have arrested the suspected killer of a 42-year-old estate agent, Richard Ekpebu.
Ekpebu was abducted and murdered on July 24, 2025, with his body dumped in a bush along the new Otuoke road near Bayelsa Palm.
The main suspect, identified as George Idumangi from Ogbia Local Government Area, was arrested in Lagos while attempting to procure an international passport at the immigration office. Idumangi, who claims to be a member of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), had been on the run following petitions by the victim’s family over the alleged delay in investigations.
Following the directive of the State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, the case was transferred to Operation Puff Adder, headed by CSP Chris Nwaogbo. The manhunt took the team across several locations in Lagos, including Lekki, Ikorodu, Festac, Ikeja, and Orile, before the suspect was eventually tracked down.
During the operation, police recovered a bag containing a T-shirt with “IYC Tactical Team” inscription and two phones allegedly used in the crime. Further investigation led to the arrest of Idumangi’s girlfriend, 23-year-old Victory Benard Henry, in Yenagoa. Items recovered from her include one pump-action gun, five live cartridges, two empty AK-47 magazines, 10 walkie-talkies, 10 chargers, and three AK-47 rifle slings.
Preliminary findings revealed that Henry lured the deceased with a land sale deal. Ekpebu introduced Idumangi to a prospective buyer, who paid N9 million directly into Idumangi’s account. Henry allegedly received N1 million for her role in the transaction.
Trouble started when the buyer demanded the land documents. Ekpebu reportedly told the buyer to contact the landowner directly, insisting he was not part of the final deal. The suspects allegedly killed him to cover up the lie that he had absconded with the documents.
Police sources disclosed that the land in question had earlier been sold to the Chief Security Officer of former President Goodluck Jonathan before the suspects resold it to another buyer.
Confirming the arrest, Commissioner of Police Francis Idu said:
“After painstaking intelligence and law enforcement measures, Mr. George Idumangi, who murdered Mr. Richard Ekpebu at Bayelsa Palm in early August, was arrested this morning in Lagos while trying to flee the country. This was achieved through real intelligence. I appreciate the good people of Bayelsa and the Prosperity Government for their support.”
