Monday Agbonika, Edo Police Commissioner
A 21-year-old dispatch officer busted for faking his kidnap to raise money to replace his company’s over N1.3 million lost to online gambling will soon be arraigned by the Edo State Police Command.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that the suspect, David Ekes, an employee of Dibecs Industry Limited, located at Km 162, Auchi–Okene Expressway, Okpella, was first reported missing by his uncle, Moses Ekes, a staff of the same company, on January 30, 2026 following which the operatives swung into action only to discover that the purportedly missing person had faked his own kidnap.
This was revealed in a statement on Monday by the police public relations officer (PPRO) Eno Ikoedem, an assistant superintendent of police (ASP).
The police narrated how the suspect lied in his initial statement that he was kidnapped by three unidentified men and forced to trek barefoot through the forest for over three days, during which his mobile phone was taken and funds withdrawn from his First Bank account.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 statement read in part, “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, Auchi–Okene Expressway, Okpella.
“On 30/01/2026 at about 16:00hrs, 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.
“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.”
The statement said in a turn of events, on 31/01/2026 at about 08:00hrs, the allegedly missing person returned on his own, reportedly weak and was taken to a hospital in Okpella, where police operatives visited and monitored his condition.
According to ASP Ikoedem, “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 ₦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 Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, 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 advised youths involved in gambling to do so responsibly, as addiction often leads to desperation and criminal tendencies.
Recall that the Edo State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers over their involvement in the kidnapping of Dr Abu Babatunde and killing of his brother, Tahir.
The command noted that discreet investigation aimed at dismantling the entire notorious organised criminal network responsible for the kidnappings in Auchi and its environs was ongoing.