The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested the prime suspect in the murder of a 42-year-old estate agent, Richard Ekpebu, who was abducted and killed on July 24, 2025.
The suspect, George Idumangi, from Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, was apprehended on Monday at the Lagos Immigration Office, where he was attempting to procure an international passport in a bid to flee the country.
Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, had earlier transferred the case to Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, for discreet investigation. A police source disclosed that operatives trailed Idumangi across multiple Lagos locations, including Lekki, Ikorodu, Festac, Ikeja, and Orile, before finally arresting him.
During the manhunt, officers reportedly recovered his bag containing a T-shirt branded “IYC Tactical Team” and two mobile phones allegedly used in the crime.
Earlier, police had arrested 23-year-old Victory Benard Henry, said to be Idumangi’s girlfriend, in Yenagoa. Recovered from her possession were a pump-action rifle, five live cartridges, two empty AK-47 magazines, 10 walkie-talkies, chargers, and three AK-47 slings.
Investigations revealed that Victory allegedly lured Ekpebu under the guise of a land transaction, linking him to Idumangi. The suspect allegedly received ₦9 million from a supposed buyer, who paid directly into his account. Victory was reportedly paid ₦1 million for her role.
Trouble started when the buyer demanded land documents, but Ekpebu denied knowledge of the deal, insisting that only the landowner could provide such papers. The confrontation allegedly pushed Idumangi and his accomplices — one Victor Shadrack (alias Doggy) and another identified as Insurance — to abduct and kill the agent in a bid to cover their tracks.
Confirming the arrest, CP Idu said:
“After painstaking intelligence and law enforcement measures, Mr George Idumangi, who murdered Mr Richard Ekpebu at Bayelsa Palm, was arrested this morning in Lagos while trying to flee the country. This was achieved with real intelligence. I am grateful to the noble people of Bayelsa and the Prosperity Government.”
The police said investigations are ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to arrest the remaining accomplices.
