Operatives of Operation Puff Adder of the Bayelsa State Police Command and officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Festac Town, Lagos, have rejected a ₦4 million bribe allegedly offered by George Idumangi, the prime suspect in the murder of 42-year-old estate agent, Richard Ekpebu.
Idumangi was arrested on Monday in Lagos when he went to collect his newly processed international passport. His arrest followed inter-agency collaboration between the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Police Force, particularly Operation Puff Adder and the Area E Police Command in Lagos.
According to security sources, Idumangi allegedly attempted to bribe immigration officials with ₦4 million to avoid being handed over to the police. He was said to have further offered ₦2 million to delete incriminating files from his new mobile phone and later raised the offer to ₦3 million for the destruction of the phone. All offers were rejected.
A senior police officer in Yenagoa confirmed the incident, stating: “In desperation, he offered them money, first to avoid being handed over, and later to destroy evidence on his phone. But the officers stood their ground and rejected every attempt.”
When the Operation Puff Adder team, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, arrived in Lagos to take custody of the suspect, Idumangi allegedly made the same bribery offer but was again rebuffed with a stern warning. His phone and international passport are now in police custody, and he is expected to be flown to Yenagoa soon for further investigation.
Read also:
- NDLEA seizes N3.9bn worth of tramadol in Lagos, apprehends Indian businessman, 3 others
- NDLEA, NSCDC arrest 97 suspects in massive anti-crime raids across Kano
- NDLEA orders investigation into sudden death of Cross River Commander
Other suspects linked to the killing include Victor Shadrack, popularly known as Doggy, an individual nicknamed Insurance, and one Miss Victory Benard Henry, who allegedly received ₦1 million for her role in the crime.
Confirming the development, the spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, SP Musa Mohammed, said Idumangi indeed offered bribes to the officers, but they all refused.
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has reacted to reports of Idumangi’s alleged affiliation with the group. In a statement, IYC President, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, expressed shock and condemned the killing of Ekpebu, describing him as “a promising Ijaw youth doing legitimate business.”
Lokpobiri said: “We stand firmly against crimes and criminalities. While criminal elements may infiltrate any organisation, they do not define the IYC. We share in the grief of the Ekpebu family and will support the police in ensuring justice is served.”
He commended the Nigerian Police Force for their swift action and urged Ijaw youths and the general public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in bringing all perpetrators to justice.
The IYC also reaffirmed its commitment to peace, security, and development in the Niger Delta, stressing that it will not shield anyone found guilty of criminal activities.
