The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of the lifeless body of a prominent real estate developer, Mr. Ekpeboh Richard, days after he was declared missing under suspicious circumstances.
The decomposing remains of the 40-year-old father of two were discovered around 6 p.m. on Saturday by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in a swampy Missing Bayelsa Realtor Found Dead in Swamp, Police Launch Probe area between the NDDC IDP Camp Road and Otuokpoti in Ogbia Local Government Area.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Richard was executed at close range with a gunshot to the head, and his body dumped in the forest in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime.
Mr. Richard, a native of Amassoma in Southern Ijaw LGA and Vice Chairman of the Real Estate Consultants Association of Bayelsa State, was last seen on July 24, 2025, after he left home for a meeting and never returned. His wife, alarmed by his unusual absence, raised an alarm in the early hours of July 25.
Shortly after his disappearance, strange WhatsApp messages began appearing from Richard’s phone. In the messages, supposedly from him, he claimed to be safe and asked his wife not to worry. One message proposed a money transfer through a PoS operator—an unusual move for Richard, who typically handled transactions directly. A sum of ₦15,300 was reportedly sent, and the messages made reference to alleged debts of ₦9 million and ₦3 million owed to other real estate professionals.
Police now believe the messages were sent by his abductors in a deliberate attempt to stall a search and mislead the family.
Disturbed by the inconsistencies, friends and associates alerted the authorities. Acting on community intelligence and local eyewitness accounts, officers from the RRS, led by CSP Bishop Elemide, launched a manhunt in the area. According to reports, two young men were seen dragging Richard into the bush in a blue Honda V-Boot. Shortly after, two gunshots were heard before the suspects fled the scene in Richard’s Toyota Matrix.
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At the site of the discovery, officers found a single footwear suspected to belong to the deceased and evidence of a struggle. His body, concealed beneath vegetation in the swamp, showed signs of trauma consistent with execution-style killing.
The Homicide Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) is now leading the probe into what police have described as a premeditated and cold-blooded murder. Investigators are exploring possible motives, including a business-related dispute or connections to cyber fraud or money laundering.
A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: “We are pursuing every credible lead. The brutal nature of this murder indicates it was carefully planned, and we are committed to bringing those responsible to justice.”
Commissioner of Police Francis Idu, though currently away on official duties in Abuja, has been fully briefed on the case and has directed that the SCID intensify its efforts to track the perpetrators.
The tragic death of Mr. Richard has sent shockwaves through Bayelsa’s real estate community, with many colleagues and friends mourning the loss of a respected entrepreneur.
As the investigation continues, police are appealing to the public for any information that may assist in identifying and apprehending the killers.