YENAGOA, Nigeria — Police in Bayelsa State have arrested a landowner accused of murdering a real estate agent after collecting ₦9 million from a buyer for land that had already been sold to another party.
According to Warri Aproko, Authorities say George Idumangi, aided by an accomplice known as “Biggy,” allegedly lured and killed 42-year-old estate agent Richard Bibo Ekpebu, the vice chairman of the Bayelsa State Estate Agents Association, on Friday, July 25, 2025.
According to investigators, Idumangi and an associate had approached Ekpebu to help sell a parcel of land.
After securing a buyer, the agent facilitated negotiations, which ended with the buyer paying ₦9 million directly to the landowner.
Idumangi reportedly told the buyer that the property documents were in Port Harcourt and would later be sent through Ekpebu.
But days passed without the paperwork.
When the buyer contacted Idumangi, he claimed he had already handed the documents to the agent.
Shocked by the deception, Ekpebu confronted the landowner after learning that he had been cut out of the transaction.
To conceal the fraud and make it appear as if the agent had absconded with the documents, Idumangi allegedly lured Ekpebu to a remote location with the help of “Biggy.”
He was then killed and his body dumped in the bush along the new Otuoke Road near Bayelsa Palm.
Police said Idumangi later used the victim’s phone to send WhatsApp replies in an attempt to mislead his wife into believing he was still alive.
Concerned by his silence and unanswered calls, she reported him missing.
Around the same time, a local farmer reported hearing gunshots and noted the licence plate of a suspicious vehicle.
A search party later discovered Ekpebu’s body wrapped in black nylon.
The Bayelsa State Police Tactical Squad, Operation Puff Adder, launched an investigation that traced transactions from Idumangi’s account.
He had reportedly transferred ₦1 million to his 23-year-old girlfriend, identified as Miss Victory Benard Henry.
She was arrested while attempting to flee with her belongings in a hired truck.
Police said they recovered a pump-action gun, five live cartridges, two empty AK-47 magazines, 10 walkie-talkies with chargers, and three AK-47 rifle slings from her possessions.
Idumangi was later arrested at an immigration office in Lagos as he attempted to flee the country with the assistance of what police described as an “international pastor.”
Investigators revealed that Idumangi had already sold the same piece of land to the Chief Security Officer of former President Goodluck Jonathan, handing over the original documents to the earlier buyer.
Both Idumangi and Ms. Henry are now in police custody.
The Bayelsa police say further investigations are ongoing.
