Man Stages Own Kidnap Over ₦1.3m Gambling Loss

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 21 year old man for staging his own kidnapping after losing ₦1.3 million belonging to his employer and a customer to online gambling.

The incident followed a missing person report involving an employee of Dibecs Industry Limited located at Km 162, Auchi Okene Expressway, Okpella.

In a statement on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said the case was reported on January 30, 2026, by one Moses Ekes, who informed the Okpella Police Division that his nephew, David Ekes, a dispatch officer with the company, had been missing since January 27.

According to the statement, David Ekes left his residence on a black unregistered motorcycle from Factory Two to Factory Three, contrary to company policy, and was not seen thereafter. The motorcycle was later found parked along the road leading to Factory Three and recovered to the company’s main office.

Police operatives immediately visited the area, searched the surrounding bushes and commenced investigation.

Ikoedem said the missing employee later resurfaced on January 31 at about 8am in a weak condition and was taken to a hospital in Okpella, where he was monitored by police operatives.

She explained that after his discharge, the suspect initially claimed he was kidnapped by three unknown men who forced him to trek barefoot through the forest for several days and dispossessed him of his mobile phone and bank funds.

However, discreet investigation revealed that between January 25 and 26, the suspect lost a total sum of ₦1,308,000 belonging to his company and a customer through online gambling on a betting platform.

She added that the suspect travelled to Abuja, sold his mobile phone, lodged in a hotel and deliberately staged the kidnapping to conceal the financial loss.

The suspect has since confessed and will be arraigned in court.

The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, warned members of the public against false distress reports and criminal deception, noting that such acts waste security resources and undermine public trust.

He also cautioned youths to avoid excessive gambling, warning that addiction often leads to desperation and criminal behaviour.