Murder of Bayelsa Estate Agent: Immigration, Police personnel rejects N4M bribe from suspected killer

By; Odie Ramon, Yenagoa.

Operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Office, Festac Town Lagos and the Operation Puff Adder, Bayelsa State Police Command have rejected the N 4 million naira bribe offered them by George Idumangi, the suspected killer of the 42 years old Estate Agent arrested in Lagos.

The suspected killer, George Idumangi, who was arrested on Monday by the men of the Nigerian Immigration Service in Lagos after he went to collect his processed International Passport after proper inter-Agency collaboration with men of the Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo and the Station Officer (SO) of the Area E Police Command in Festac.

The Operatives of the Operation Puff Adder of the Bayelsa State Police Command had last week, during the search for the suspected Killer, George Idumangi,had interfaced with men of the Area E of the Festac Area Command of the Police and Immigration Service to assist in case of attempts by the suspected to evade arrest. The interface eventually paid off.

Speaking with newsmen, a senior Police officer with the Bayelsa State Police Command in Yenagoa, confirmed that George Idumangi, in desperation to evade arrest and his hand over to men of the Bayelsa Police Command, offered the immigration and Police Personnel the sum of 4 Million.

“But they stood their grounds and rejected the money, He also offered them N2 million to allow him delete a file from his new mobile phone before he would be handed over, but they also rejected the move. In desperation, he offered N 3million for the phone to be destroyed and not handed over to team of Bayelsa Police Personnel, but they still refused.”

It was gathered that when the team of men of the Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo arrived Lagos to secured the suspected killer in the custody, he also made the same bribe offer and was turned down with serious warnings.

It was confirmed to our correspondent that the suspected killer’s mobile phone and the recently procured International Passport are in the custody of the men of the Operation Puff Adder. And the suspect will soon be flown back to Yenagoa.

The suspect, with three others, were alleged to had in July,2025 conspired to abduction and murder a 42 years old Estate Agent, Richard Ekpebu in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital

Others alleged to have conspired with George Idumange include one Victor Shadrack popularly known Doggy and one Insurance, his real name still unknown, who is known as a Beneficiary of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and member of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Central Zone.

Also arrested is one Miss VICTORY BENARD HENRY. She is from Akwa Ibom and the girlfriend to the George Idumangi. She is alleged to be the armourer to the group and was alleged to have benefitted the sum of One million naira for her role in the deal.

The deceased Estate Agent, Richard Ekpebu, was abducted and murdered on the 24th of July,2025 with his body dumped in a bush along the new Otuoke road near Bayelsa Palm.

The suspected killer Identified as George Idumangi, hails from Ogbia Local Government area and claim to be a member of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) worldwide.He was arrested in Lagos while attempting to procure an International Passport at the Immigration office.

It was gathered that following complaints and petition by the Family of the deceased Estate Agent over the alleged delay in the investigation, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu ordered that the case be transferred to the Operation Puff Adder headed by Commander Chris Nwaogbo.

Police sources confirmed that the investigation and trailing of the suspected killer took the Operatives of the Puff Adder from Yenagoa to Lekki, Ikorodu, festac, Ikeja and Orile in Lagos State in the last one week.

The investigating police officers stormed the homes identified as his hideout in Lagos and narrowly missed him but they were able to recover his bag containing a T-Shirt with inscription IYC tactical team and two phones he was using when he killed the deceased.

CSP Chris Nwaogbo and his team within a recorded time of Eight days, arrested the girl friend to the alleged killer identified as 23 years old VICTORY BENARD HENRY and recovered (1) ONE PUM ACTION GUN (2) FIVE LIVE CARTRIDGES (3) TWO EMPTY AK 47 MAGAZINES (4) 10 WALKIE TALKIES (5) 10 CHARGERS AND THRE AK 47 RIFLE SLINGS in her custody in Yenagoa.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), worldwide led by Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri snr has expressed shock over the alleged involvement of some of its members in the heinous murder of deceased 42 years old Estate Agent.

According to the IYC, more shocking is the fact that the key suspects, George Idumangi, has served in some committee capacities under the immediate past zonal leadership, “I wish to categorically state that he does not hold any position in our current leadership structure.”

He insisted that the IYC is a reputable organization known for its peaceful advocacy against the oppression of Ijaw people, “We stand firmly against crimes and criminalities, and our founding philosophy has always been rooted in promoting peace, justice, unity and development.”

“Like any organization, including the security agencies, we may have some criminal elements infiltrating our ranks. However, such individuals do not define our group, and the IYC remains committed to its mission and principles.”

“Because the deceased was a promising Ijaw youth who was only doing his legitimate business, the IYC share in the pain and grief the Ekpebu’s family and friends are going through.”

“Nobody has the right to take the life of another, and the IYC will support the police in their efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding this murder and ensure that justice is served to serve as deterrent to others.”

“I appreciate the efforts and commitment of the Nigeran Police Force that led to the arrest of those behind this heinous crime, particularly the alleged perpetrator, George Idumangi and his girlfriend.”

“I therefore called on our members and the general public to cooperate with the police and support them to do their job professionally and bring all the perpetrators to justice.”

“I use this opportunity to reaffirm our dedication to promoting peace, security and development in our communities, and we remain resolute in our pursuit of justice and equality for all Ijaws.”