The Edo State Police Command has exposed a staged kidnapping after a 21-year-old man, David Ekes, reported missing, turned out to have fabricated the entire incident to conceal a significant gambling debt.
Ekes, a dispatch officer with Dibecs Industry Limited in Okpella, was reported missing by his uncle on January 30 after failing to return from a trip between factory sites. His motorcycle was found abandoned, prompting a police search.
In a surprising turn, Ekes returned alone the following day, claiming he had been abducted by three unidentified men who forced him to trek through the forest for days, stole his phone, and withdrew money from his bank account.
However, a discreet police investigation revealed the truth. Between January 25 and 26, Ekes had lost ₦1,308,000 belonging to his company and a customer through online sports betting. To hide the loss, he traveled to Abuja, sold his phone, checked into a hotel, and staged his disappearance to appear as a kidnapping victim.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, stated that the suspect has confessed to the crime and will be charged in court.
The State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, warned the public against making false distress reports, noting that such actions waste critical security resources and undermine public trust. He also advised youths to gamble responsibly, as addiction can lead to desperation and criminal behavior.
The arrest comes as the Command continues investigations into other kidnapping cases, including the recent abduction of a doctor in Auchi.
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