…Police Launch Manhunt for Killers
From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of the lifeless body of Mr. Ekpeboh Richard, a prominent real estate magnate, days after he was declared missing.
Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) discovered his corpse in a forested area between the new NDDC IDP Camp Road and Otuokpoti in Ogbia Local Government Area around 6 p.m. on Saturday. The deceased was reportedly shot in the head at close range, execution-style, and dumped in a swampy area of the forest.
Ekpeboh Richard, Vice Chairman of the Real Estate Consultants Association of Bayelsa State and a native of Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, was married with two children. He was last seen on July 24, 2025, after leaving home under unexplained circumstances. His wife raised the alarm when he failed to return by midnight, expressing concern by 2 a.m. the following day.
According to family sources, days later, his wife received a WhatsApp message—allegedly from Richard—asking her not to worry and claiming he was fine. In response to her persistence, another message promised to send money via a POS operator, not directly to her account. A sum of ₦15,300 was reportedly sent. The messages also referenced debts of ₦9 million and ₦3 million owed to members of the real estate association.
However, it was later discovered that these messages were sent by his abductors using his phone to deceive the family.
Friends and associates, alarmed by the suspicious messages, alerted the police. The RRS, led by CSP Bishop Elemide, swung into action, relying on local intelligence, cooperation from community youths, and information from an eyewitness.
According to eyewitness accounts, two young men in a blue Honda V-Boot were seen dragging Richard into the forest. Moments later, two gunshots were heard. The suspects fled the scene in haste, escaping in their vehicle and taking Richard’s Toyota Matrix car with them.
The police also discovered signs of a struggle at the crime scene, with footwear believed to belong to the deceased found a few meters from where the body was dumped. Youths in the area assisted in retrieving the corpse, which had been partially concealed in a swamp. His skull was reportedly blown apart by a gunshot.
Sources at the Bayelsa State Police Headquarters confirmed that the Homicide Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) is now handling the case. Preliminary investigations are exploring two possible angles: a business deal gone wrong involving members of the Real Estate Consultants Association or possible links to cybercrime or a money laundering scheme.
“We are leaving no stone unturned,” a senior officer said. “We will get to the root of the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice. A manhunt is currently underway to track down the assailants.”
The Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, though on official duty in Abuja, is said to be fully briefed and has directed the SCID to intensify efforts in apprehending the suspects and unraveling the motive behind the gruesome killing.
