Operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command have recovered the corpse of Ekpeboh Richard, a missing realtor, from a forest between the new NDDC road and Otuokpoti in Ogbia Local Government Area.
According to police sources, Richard was shot in the head execution-style and dumped in a swampy area, where his body was recovered with assistance from local youths. Signs of a struggle were evident at the scene, including a pair of footwear found near the body.
The late Ekpeboh Richard, who hailed from Ammassoma in Southern Ijaw LGA, was the Vice Chairman of the Real Estate Consultants Association of Bayelsa. He was married with two children.
He went missing on July 24 after leaving home. His wife became alarmed when he failed to return and was unreachable.
Read Also: Tinubu’s extension of Customs boss’ tenure draws praise from northern group, polytechnic students
Days later, she said she received a suspicious WhatsApp message from his number, claiming he was fine and asking her not to raise alarm.
The sender later claimed to have sent ₦15,300 through a POS agent, instead of transferring funds to her directly.
He also allegedly confessed to owing ₦9 million and ₦3 million to two individuals within the association. However, investigators later discovered the chats were sent by his abductors, not Richard himself.
Following a report to the Police, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) led by CSP Bishop Elemide launched an investigation.
Based on intelligence and eyewitness accounts, it was revealed that two young men in a blue Honda saloon car had dragged Richard into the forest. Moments later, two gunshots were heard, and the assailants fled.
The attackers also escaped with the victim’s vehicle, a Toyota Matrix.
The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) is expected to take over the case as investigations continue, with police working on two key leads.
“We are looking at the fact that it may be a case of business deals gone wrong with members of his Association of Real Estate Consultants or that he may be involved in cyber crime or money laundering deal that went wrong.”
“We will get to the root of the matter and bring the culprits to book. Efforts are on to apprehend assailants,” a police source said.