The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a man identified as George Idumangi for the alleged murder of 42-year-old estate agent Richard Ekpebu.
Idumangi, said to be from Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was picked up on Monday in Lagos while attempting to procure an international passport at the Nigeria Immigration Service office.
Police Commissioner, Francis Idu, confirmed the development, noting that the case was transferred to the command’s tactical squad, Operation Puff Adder, for thorough investigation.
“Our officers deployed intelligence and resilience to track the suspect across several hideouts in Lagos. He was eventually arrested while trying to escape the country,” Idu said.
According to police sources, the suspect had been on the run since July 24 when Ekpebu was abducted and murdered, with his body later dumped in a bush. Officers said Idumangi was trailed to areas including Lekki, Ikorodu, Festac, Ikeja, and Orile before he was finally caught.
Investigators disclosed that a bag recovered from one of his hideouts contained a T-shirt bearing the inscription “IYC Tactical Team,” as well as two mobile phones allegedly used during the crime.
Earlier in the investigation, detectives arrested Idumangi’s 23-year-old girlfriend, Victory Benard Henry, in Yenagoa. Recovered from her residence were a pump-action rifle, five live cartridges, two empty AK-47 magazines, 10 walkie-talkies, 10 chargers, and three rifle slings.
Police allege that Henry lured Ekpebu under the guise of brokering a land sale, connecting him to Idumangi and a supposed buyer who transferred ₦9 million directly to the suspect’s account. Investigations further revealed that Henry allegedly received ₦1 million for her role.
“Trouble started when the buyer demanded land documents from the agent, who denied receiving any money. The suspect and his gang saw this as a threat to their scheme and decided to eliminate him,” a police source explained.
Idumangi allegedly conspired with two others, identified as Victor Shadrack, popularly known as Doggy, and another man called Insurance, to abduct and kill Ekpebu in a bid to cover up the fraudulent deal.
Commissioner Idu commended the police team for what he described as “painstaking intelligence work” and thanked residents for their cooperation.
“This arrest is a victory for justice. The people of Bayelsa deserve peace, and we are determined to ensure criminals do not escape the long arm of the law,” the CP said.
