Edo Police Uncover Elaborate Kidnapping Hoax After Gambling Loss
The Edo State Police Command has made a startling arrest, apprehending a man who fabricated his own kidnapping to conceal a significant financial loss incurred through online gambling. The suspect, identified as Moses Ekes, is accused of staging the elaborate ruse after misappropriating N1.3 million belonging to his company.
Initial Missing Person Report and Investigation
According to a statement released on Monday, February 9, by the command's Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, the case began on January 30 when Moses Ekes reported at the Okpella Police Division. He claimed that his nephew, David Ekes, a 21-year-old dispatch officer with Dibecs Industry Limited, had gone missing since January 27 at approximately 8:30 PM.
The report detailed that David Ekes had left his quarters alone on an unregistered black motorcycle, traveling from Factory 2 to Factory 3 in violation of company policy. He was not seen or heard from afterward. The motorcycle was later discovered parked along the road leading to Factory 3 and subsequently recovered to the company's main office.
Police operatives from the Okpella Division promptly visited the scene, conducted a thorough search of the surrounding bush area, and documented relevant findings while launching an immediate investigation.
Suspicious Return and Conflicting Accounts
In a surprising turn of events, the missing person returned on his own on January 31 at about 8 AM, appearing weak. He was taken to a hospital in Okpella, where police operatives visited and monitored his condition.
Upon his discharge, the suspect initially volunteered a statement alleging that he had been kidnapped by three unidentified men. He claimed they forced him to trek barefoot through the forest for over three days, during which his Tecno Camon mobile phone was taken and funds were withdrawn from his First Bank account.
Discrete Investigation Reveals Gambling Loss
However, a discrete police investigation uncovered a different story. The probe revealed that between January 25 and January 26, 2026, the suspect lost a total sum of N1,308,000.00 through online gambling on a visual sporty betting platform. This substantial amount belonged to both his company and a customer.
To cover up the financial loss, he immediately traveled to Abuja, sold his mobile phone, lodged in a hotel, and deliberately staged his own kidnapping. The suspect has since confessed to the crime and will be arraigned in court to serve as a deterrent to others.
Police Warning to the Public
The Commissioner of Police for Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, issued a stern warning to members of the public against false distress reports and acts of criminal deception. He emphasized that such actions "undermine public confidence and waste critical security resources."
Agbonika also advised youths involved in gambling to do so responsibly, noting that "addiction often leads to desperation and criminal tendencies." This case highlights the serious consequences of gambling addiction and the illegal measures some individuals may take to hide their losses.
