Operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command under Operation Puff Adder, in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service in Festac Town, Lagos, have rejected a ₦4 million bribe allegedly offered by murder suspect, George Idumangi.
Idumangi, accused of killing Bayelsa-based estate agent Richard Ekpebu, was arrested on Monday at the Festac immigration office while attempting to collect his international passport. His capture followed a joint operation involving Immigration officers, the Area E Police Command, and the Bayelsa police.
According to investigators, the suspect desperately tried to buy his way out of custody. He allegedly offered Immigration officers ₦4 million to suppress his arrest and later attempted to persuade police operatives with ₦3 million to delete incriminating files from his phone.
“But they stood their ground and rejected the money. He also offered ₦2 million to be allowed to delete a file from his new phone, and later ₦3 million for the phone to be destroyed, but they still refused,” a senior police officer disclosed.
When the Operation Puff Adder team, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, arrived in Lagos to take custody of the suspect, Idumangi reportedly repeated the bribery attempt, which was again turned down. His phone and newly issued passport are now in police custody pending transfer to Yenagoa.
Police said others linked to the crime include Victor Shadrack, also known as “Doggy,” one Insurance, and Miss Victory Benard Henry, who allegedly received ₦1 million for her role.
Bayelsa State Police spokesman, SP Musa Mohammed, confirmed the bribery attempt, saying, “Yes, he offered them the bribe.”
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Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has distanced itself from reports linking some of its members to the murder. President of the council, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, described the killing as tragic and reaffirmed the IYC’s commitment to peace and justice.
He said: “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 stands firmly against crimes and criminalities and will support the police to ensure justice is served.”
Lokpobiri extended condolences to the Ekpebu family, stressing that the death of the young estate agent was a painful loss to the Ijaw nation.