Real Estate Businessman Found Dead in Bayelsa Forest with Gunshot Wound
- The body of Ekpeboh Richard, a respected real estate businessman, was discovered with a gunshot wound in a swampy forest area of Bayelsa State
- Police investigations suggest the victim may have been lured and murdered over a failed business deal or cybercrime-related dispute
- The Rapid Response Squad, aided by local youths, recovered the corpse and launched a manhunt for the suspected killers
The Bayelsa State Police Command has recovered the corpse of a prominent real estate businessman, Ekpeboh Richard, who was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head in a bush between the Internally Displaced Persons camp and Otuokpoti in Ogbia Local Government Area.
According to reports obtained by PUNCH Metro on Sunday, the Rapid Response Unit of the police discovered the body at approximately 6:00 pm on Saturday.
Source: Original
The deceased, who hailed from Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, was married with two children and served as the vice chairman of the Real Estate Consultants Association of Bayelsa State.
Disappearance and suspicious communication
Richard was last seen on July 24 after leaving his home and failing to return. A family source revealed that his wife became concerned when he did not return by 2:00 am and attempted to reach him via mobile phone, but received no response. Three days later, she received a WhatsApp message from his number claiming he was fine and urging her not to worry.
“Further promptings by the wife that she would reach out to the extended family to ask him why he abandoned the house were met by a promise to send money via PoS. A sum of N15,300 was purportedly sent to a PoS agent and not to her account,” the source said.
The message also disclosed that Richard owed two individuals within the association N9 million and N3 million respectively. Police investigations later revealed that the messages were sent by his abductors, who had taken control of his phone.
Police investigation and eyewitness accounts
Friends and colleagues of the deceased reported the matter to the police, prompting the Rapid Response Squad led by CSP Bishop Elemide to launch an investigation. With assistance from local youths, officers received intelligence that two young men in a blue Honda vehicle had dragged Richard into the forest.
“What we heard later were two gunshots. And the two young men scampered to their car and left,” witnesses told the police.
The assailants reportedly fled with Richard’s Toyota Matrix. Investigators found signs of a struggle near the scene, including a footwear located a few metres from the body. The corpse was recovered from a swamp, with police confirming that his head had been blown off by a gunshot.
Possible motives under investigation
A source at the state police headquarters disclosed that the Homicide Department of the State Criminal Investigation Department may take over the case. Investigators are currently exploring two possible motives: a business dispute within the Real Estate Consultants Association or a failed cybercrime or money laundering operation.
“We will get to the root of the matter and bring the culprits to book. Efforts are on to apprehend assailants,” the police source said.
Attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Musa Mohammed, were unsuccessful as he is reportedly on leave. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Francis Idu, is also said to be away on official assignment.
Source: Facebook
Businessman releases statement regarding death of son
Legit.ng earlier reported that the family of Onyekere Martins Ifesinachi, a businessman known as Fish Magnet, released a statement confirming his tragic death.
According to the family, Fish Magnet was unfortunately murdered by undisclosed people on July 27, 2025. The statement was shared on the official TikTok page @fishmagnett, where the family expressed their gratitude for the love and support.
Source: Legit.ng
