Police operatives attached to the Bayelsa State Command’s Operation Puff Adder have arrested George Idumangi, the prime suspect in the abduction and murder of 42-year-old estate agent, Richard Ekpebu, whose body was discovered in a bush on Otuoke Road near Bayelsa Palm on July 24, 2025.
Idumangi, from Ogbia Local Government Area and claiming membership in the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), was apprehended in Lagos while attempting to obtain an international passport at the Immigration office.
The arrest followed a week-long manhunt led by Commander Chris Nwaogbo, initiated after a petition from Ekpebu’s family regarding delays in the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, ordered the case transferred to Operation Puff Adder for swift action.
Police tracked Idumangi across Lagos, including Lekki, Ikorodu, FESTAC Town, Ikeja, and Orile, recovering a bag containing an IYC tactical team T-shirt and two phones used during the crime. Within eight days, the team also arrested Idumangi’s 23-year-old girlfriend, Victory Benard Henry, in Yenagoa.
According to the Police, items recovered from Henry include a pump-action gun, five live cartridges, two empty AK-47 magazines, 10 walkie-talkies, 10 chargers, and three AK-47 rifle slings.
Preliminary investigations indicated that Henry lured Ekpebu into a land deal, connecting him with a buyer who paid Idumangi N9 million.
Henry allegedly received N1million for her role. The deal unraveled when the buyer demanded land documents, which Idumangi falsely claimed Ekpebu had taken.
Ekpebu denied the accusation and confronted Idumangi, leading to his abduction and murder by Idumangi, Victor Shadrack (alias Doggy), and an accomplice known as Insurance, a Presidential Amnesty beneficiary and IYC member.
The trio allegedly killed Ekpebu to cover their fraudulent claim.
Investigations revealed the land had previously been sold to the Chief Security Officer of former President Goodluck Jonathan before being resold to another buyer.
Commissioner Idu confirmed the arrest, stating, “Through diligent intelligence and law enforcement efforts, George Idumangi, who murdered Richard Ekpebu in early August, was apprehended in Lagos this morning while attempting to flee the country. I thank the people of Bayelsa and the Prosperity Government for their support.”
The investigation is ongoing as police pursue the remaining suspects.