The Bayelsa State Police Command has apprehended the prime suspect in the abduction and murder of 42-year-old estate agent, Richard Ekpebu, whose body was discovered in a bush on July 24, 2025.
The suspect, George Idumangi, a native of Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was arrested on Monday at the Lagos Immigration Office, where he was allegedly attempting to obtain an international passport to escape 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 tracked Idumangi across several Lagos locations, including Lekki, Ikorodu, Festac, Ikeja, and Orile, before successfully capturing him. During earlier raids, officers reportedly missed him by minutes but recovered a bag containing a T-shirt branded “IYC Tactical Team” and two mobile phones allegedly linked to the murder.
Prior to Idumangi’s arrest, the police had taken 23-year-old Victory Benard Henry, believed to be his girlfriend, into custody in Yenagoa. Items recovered from her included 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 deal, introducing him to Idumangi, who later collected N9 million from a supposed buyer. While Victory was said to have received N1 million for her role, the transaction quickly unraveled when the buyer demanded land documents. Ekpebu reportedly denied knowledge of the deal and directed the buyer to the property owner, sparking a confrontation with Idumangi.
According to police findings, Idumangi, along with accomplices Victor Shadrack (alias Doggy) and another identified only as Insurance, allegedly abducted and killed Ekpebu to cover up their fraudulent scheme and create the impression that the agent had absconded with the documents.
Confirming the breakthrough, CP Idu said: “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 apprehend other accomplices still at large.
Estate agent’s murder: Fugitive suspect arrested while seeking passport in Lagos