Police arrest man who staged his own kidnap after losing N1.3m belonging to his company to gambling

The Edo State Police command has arrested a man identified as Moses Ekes for staging his own kidnapping in the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, February  9.

According to Ikoedem, on January 30, 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 January 27 at about 8.30pm.

‘’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.”Ikoedem said

The police imagemaker noted that in a turn of events, on Jnuary 31 at about 8am, the missing person returned on his own, reportedly weak, and was taken to a hospital in Okpella, where police operatives visited and monitored his condition.

She added

“Upon his discharge, the suspect initially volunteered his statement alleging that he was k!dnapped 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to trek barefoot through the forest for over three days, during which his Tecno Camon mobile phone was taken and funds withdrawn from his First Bank account.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 k!dnapping 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.” she said

The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, warned 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 also advised youths involved in gambling to do so responsibly, “as addiction often leads to desperation and criminal tendencies.”