Dispatch Officer Fakes Abduction After Losing N1.3m To Online Betting

Edo State Police Command has uncovered a staged kidnapping involving a dispatch officer of Dibecs Industry Limited, Okpella, who allegedly faked his abduction to conceal the loss of over N1.3 million through online gambling.

The incident followed a report made on January 30, 2026, by one Moses Ekes, an employee of Dibecs Industry Limited at Okpella Police Division that his nephew, David Ekes, 21, had been missing since January 27.

Ekes, a dispatch officer with the company, was said to have left his residence on an unregistered motorcycle from Factory 2 to Factory 3 on the Auchi–Okene Expressway, Okpella, contrary to company policy and was not seen thereafter.

The motorcycle was later found abandoned on the road and taken to the company’s main office.

Confirming the development, the police command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikodedem, said operatives of the station swung into action upon receiving the report.

“Police operatives visited the scene, carried out a thorough search of the surrounding bush, documented findings, and commenced investigation immediately”.

He added that on January 31, at about 8:00 a.m., information was received that the missing dispatch officer had returned on his own in a weak condition and was taken to a hospital in Okpella, where police officers monitored his treatment.

According to the police spokesperson, the suspect initially claimed he was kidnapped by three unidentified men who forced him to trek barefoot through the forest for several days, during which his mobile phone was stolen and money withdrawn from his bank account.

“Discrete investigation, however, revealed that the suspect had between January 25 and 26 lost a total sum of ₦1,308,000 belonging to his company and a customer through online gambling on a visual sporty betting platform,” Ikodedem stated.

She explained that the suspect subsequently 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,” she added.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, warned members of the public against false distress reports and acts of criminal deception.

“Such actions undermine public confidence and waste critical security resources,” the commissioner said.

Agbonika also cautioned youths against gambling addiction, noting that desperation arising from gambling losses often leads to criminal behaviour.