Edo police arrest 21-year-old dispatch officer for staging own kidnap after losing N1.3m belonging to his company and customer to online betting

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 21-year-old dispatch officer for staging own kidnapping after losing N1.3m belonging to his company and a customer through online gambling on a visual sporty betting platform.  The spokesperson of the command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, February 9, 2026 said the suspect, David Ekes, travelled to Abuja after losing the money, sold his mobile phone, lodged in a hotel, and deliberately staged his own kidnapping to cover up the financial loss.  According to the PPRO, the suspect was initially reported missing by his family on January 27, while his motorcycle was later discovered parked along a road.  While police investigation was ongoing, Ekes returned on his own, alleging that he was kidnapped by three unidentified men, forced to trek barefoot through the forest for over three days, during which his mobile phone was taken and funds withdrawn from his First Bank account. The Edo State Police Command has uncovered a staged kidnapping following a report of a missing person involving an employee of Dibecs Industry Limited, located at Km 162, AuchiOkene Expressway, Okpella, the statement read.  “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. “According to the report, 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 companys main office. “Following the report, operatives of the Okpella Police Division promptly visited the scene, conducted a thorough search of the surrounding bush area, and documented relevant findings, while investigation commenced immediately. “However, in a turn of events, on 31/01/2026 at about 0800hrs, information was received that the missing person had returned on his own and was reportedly weak. He was taken to a hospital in Okpella, where Police operatives visited and monitored his condition. “Upon his discharge, the suspect initially volunteered his statement alleging that he was kidnapped by three unidentified men, forced to trek barefoot through the forest for over three days, during which his Tecno Camon mobile phone was taken and funds withdrawn from his First Bank account. Discrete investigation, however, has revealed that between 25/01/2026 and 26/01/2026, the suspect lost a total sum of N1,308,000.00, 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 Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, warns members of the public against false distress reports and acts of criminal deception, noting that such actions undermine public confidence and waste critical security resources.  He further advised youths involved in gambling to do so responsibly, as addiction often leads to desperation and criminal tendencies. The post Edo police arrest 21-year-old dispatch officer for staging own kidnap after losing N1.3m belonging to his company and customer to online betting appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.