The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the tragic discovery of the body of Mr. Ekpeboh Richard, a prominent real estate magnate, days after he was reported missing by his family.
According to police sources, his lifeless body was found on Saturday evening in a swampy forest area between the NDDC IDP Camp Road and Otuokpoti in Ogbia Local Government Area.
The Rapid Response Squad (RRS), led by CSP Bishop Elemide, uncovered the corpse around 6 p.m. Richard had been executed at close range with a gunshot to the head and dumped in the swamp, where community youths assisted in the retrieval.
Signs of a struggle were evident at the scene, with footwear believed to belong to the deceased found nearby. The skull was reportedly blown apart by the impact of the gunshot.
July 24, 2025: Ekpeboh Richard, Vice Chairman of the Real Estate Consultants Association of Bayelsa State, left his home in Yenagoa under unexplained circumstances.
His wife raised the alarm after he failed to return by midnight. By 2 a.m., she contacted friends and associates.
Days later, she received suspicious WhatsApp messages, allegedly from Richard, claiming he was safe. One message offered to send money through a POS operator, avoiding a direct transfer to her account.
A small sum of ₦15,300 was sent, along with messages referencing debts of ₦9 million and ₦3 million, owed to members of the real estate association.
Police investigations later revealed that his abductors sent these deceptive messages using his phone.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing two young men dragging Richard into the forest from a blue Honda V-Boot. Moments later, two gunshots were heard. The assailants fled the scene, escaping in their vehicle and stealing Richard’s Toyota Matrix.
The case has been transferred to the Homicide Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), which is exploring two key angles:
Involving alleged financial disputes within the real estate association.
Investigators are probing possible connections to financial fraud or money laundering.
“We are leaving no stone unturned,” a senior police officer said. “We will get to the root of this murder and bring those responsible to justice.”
A statewide manhunt has been launched to track down the suspects. The Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, who is currently on official duty in Abuja, has been fully briefed and has directed the SCID to intensify efforts in apprehending the culprits.
His brutal killing has sparked outrage and fear among business associates, friends, and residents, with many calling for swift justice and enhanced security measures.
Add comment
Comments