MURDER SUSPECT OFFERS N7M BRIBE TO ESCAPE ARREST, POLICE AND IMMIGRATION REJECT
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Operatives of Operation Puff Adder of the Bayelsa State Police Command and the Nigerian Immigration Service have rejected bribe offers totaling N7 million from George Idumangi, the prime suspect in the murder of Bayelsa estate agent, Richard Ekpebu.
Idumangi was arrested on Monday at the Nigerian Immigration Office, Festac Town, Lagos, while attempting to collect his processed international passport. His arrest followed an inter-agency collaboration between the Immigration Service, the Nigerian Police Force, Operation Puff Adder, and the Area E Police Command in Lagos.
According to police sources, Idumangi desperately attempted to bribe officers to evade justice. He initially offered N4 million to immigration officers to prevent his handover to the police. He later offered another N2 million to delete a sensitive file from his new mobile phone before transfer, and further offered N3 million for the destruction of the phone. All offers were rejected.
When CSP Chris Nwaogbo and his team from Operation Puff Adder arrived Lagos to secure his transfer to Yenagoa, the suspect repeated the bribe attempt, but the officers also turned it down with a stern warning.
His mobile phone and recently obtained international passport are now in police custody, while arrangements are underway to fly him back to Bayelsa for further investigation.
Other suspects linked to the murder include Victor Shadrack (alias Doggy), an individual known as Insurance, and Miss Victory Benard Henry, who allegedly received N1 million for her role in the killing.
Confirming the development, Bayelsa Police Command’s spokesman, SP Musa Mohammed, said: “Yes, he offered them the bribe.”
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, led by Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, expressed shock at the alleged involvement of some of its members in the crime.
Lokpobiri said the IYC remains a reputable body committed to peaceful advocacy and does not condone crime:
“Like any organisation, including the security agencies, we may have some criminal elements infiltrating our ranks. However, such individuals do not define our group. The IYC will support the police to ensure justice is served.”
He condoled with the family of the deceased, describing Ekpebu as a “promising Ijaw youth engaged in legitimate business.”
Lokpobiri further commended the Nigerian Police Force for their swift action and urged members of the public to cooperate with investigators to ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice.
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