The Edo State Police Command has exposed a fake kidnapping allegedly orchestrated by a 21-year-old dispatch officer in a bid to hide a ₦1.3 million loss linked to online gambling.
The disclosure was made in a statement issued on Monday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu.
According to the statement, the matter was reported on January 30, 2026, around 4:00 pm, when Moses Ekes alerted the Okpella Police Division that his nephew, David Ekes, an employee of Dibecs Industry Limited, had been missing since January 27.
“On 30/01/2026 at about 1600hrs, one Moses Ekes ‘M’, of Dibecs Industry Limited, reported at the Okpella Police Division that his nephew, David Ekes ‘M’, aged 21 years, a dispatch officer with the company, dark in complexion, about 5ft tall, and fluent in Ijaw and English languages, had been missing since 27/01/2026 at about 2030hrs.
“The said David Ekes left his quarters alone on a black, unregistered motorcycle from Factory 2 to Factory 3, contrary to company policy, and was not seen or heard from thereafter. The motorcycle was later discovered parked along the road leading to Factory 3 and subsequently recovered to the company’s main office,” the statement said.
Following the report, operatives from the Okpella Police Division visited the area, searched nearby bush paths and launched a full investigation.
In a surprising turn, police said information reached them the next morning, January 31, at about 8:00 am, that the missing dispatch officer had returned on his own, looking weak and exhausted.
“He was taken to a hospital in Okpella, where police operatives visited and monitored his condition,” the statement added.
After his discharge, the suspect initially claimed he had been abducted by three unknown men who allegedly forced him to trek barefoot through a forest for over three days, during which his Tecno Camon phone was taken and money withdrawn from his First Bank account.
However, police investigations later revealed that the young man had travelled to Abuja shortly after the incident, sold his phone, checked into a hotel and staged the kidnapping to explain the missing funds.
“Discrete investigation, however, has revealed that between 25/01/2026 and 26/01/2026, the suspect lost a total sum of ₦1,308,000.00, belonging to his company and a customer, through online gambling on a visual sporty betting platform.
“He then immediately travelled to Abuja, sold his mobile phone, lodged in a hotel, and deliberately staged his own kidnapping to cover up the financial loss. The suspect has since confessed to the crime and will be arraigned in court to serve as a deterrent to others,” the police said.
Reacting to the development, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, warned against filing false distress reports and engaging in criminal deception, stressing that such acts drain security resources and erode public confidence.
He also cautioned youths involved in gambling to be mindful of its dangers, noting that addiction often leads to desperation and criminal acts.