September 24, (THEWILL) — Operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Office, Festac Town, Lagos, and the Operation Puff Adder, Bayelsa State Police Command, have rejected the N4 million bribe offered to them by George Idumangi, the suspected killer of the 42-year-old estate agent arrested in Lagos.
George Idumangi 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, 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 suspect 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 Idumangi, in desperation to evade arrest and his handover to men of the Command, offered the immigration and police personnel the sum of N4 million.
“But they stood their ground and rejected the money. He also offered them N2 million to allow him to delete a file from his new mobile phone before he would be handed over, but they also rejected the move. In desperation, he offered N3 million for the phone to be destroyed and not handed over to the team of Bayelsa Police Personnel, but they still refused.”
THEWILL gathered that when the team of men of the Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, arrived in Lagos to secure his arrest, he also made the same bribe offer and was turned down with serious warnings.
The suspect, with three others, was alleged to have conspired in July 2025 to abduct and murder a 42-year-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 as 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 Ms Victory Benard Henry, from Akwa Ibom and the girlfriend of George Idumangi. She is alleged to be the armourer to the group and was alleged to have benefited the sum of one million naira for her role in the deal.
The deceased 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, George Idumangi, hails from the Ogbia Local Government area and claims 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.
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 the 42-year-old agent.
According to the IYC, more shocking is the fact that the key suspect, 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 organisation 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 organisation, 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 shares 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 a deterrent to others.
“I appreciate the efforts and commitment of the Nigerian Police Force that led to the arrest of those behind this heinous crime, particularly the alleged perpetrator, George Idumangi and his girlfriend.
“I, therefore, call 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.”
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
