By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Edo State Police Command on Monday February 9, 2026, cautioned youths against involvement in heavy and irresponsible gambling habit, warning that unmoderated indulgence could lead to disastrous consequences.
The State Police Commissioner, Monday Agbonika, gave the advice following the Command’s arresr of 21-year old dispatch rider, David Ekes, who allegedly faked his own kidnap to cover a gambling loss to the tune of N1.3 million.
A statement on Monday by the Edo State Police Command spokesperson Moses Iyamu informed that Eke, an employee of an Okpella based Dibecs Industry Limited after reportedly gambling away the said sum said to belong to the company and its customers,staged his own abduction with the intent to raise money to pay back.
” On. 30/01/2026, at about 1600hrs ,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 27/01/2026 at about 2030hrs .
“The said David Eke 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 visited the scene, carried out search of the surrounding bush area and commenced investigations.
“Information was, however, received on January 3, 2026, at about 8:00 am that the missing dispatch officer had returned on his own in a weakened.State .
“He was taken to a hospital in Okpella where police operatives visited and monitored his condition .
” Upon his discharge, the suspect initially claimed that he had been kidnapped by three unidentified men, who allegedly forced him to trek barefoot through the forest for more than three days during which his Techo Camon mobile phone was taken and funds withdrawn from his First Bank account”, the police stated
However, investigations were to reveal that the suspect upon safely parking his motorcycle, travelled to Abuja where he reportedly lodged in a hotel after disposing of his phone, and subsequently feigned his own abduction.
According to the police, investigations have, however, revealed that the suspect, between January 25, and 26, 2026, lost a whopping sum of N1.308 million through visual online sports betting .
The said sum is said to belong to his company and some customers according to police investigators .
“He then, immediately, travelled to Abuja, sold his mobile phone, lodged in a hotel, and deliberately staged his own kidnap to cover up the financial loss”, the statement added.
This is as the Police informed that the suspect who has confessed to the crime will be arraigned as soon as investigations are concluded.
The state Commissioner of Police also warned that such false distress calls and criminal deception have the potential to undermine public trust and waste critical security resources.
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