After losing N1.3 million that belonged to Dibecs Industry Limited through gaming in Okpella, Edo State, a dispatch rider who worked for the company allegedly faked his own kidnapping. According to reports, the motorcyclist, David Ekes, lost the money on a visual sports betting site before to his trip to Abuja. He booked a hotel there, sold his cell phone, and made up the kidnapping to cover up the money loss.
Ekes later reported to the police that he had been abducted by three armed guys who took the money from him. When his brother, Moses, reported him missing to the Okpella Police Division on January 27, his disappearance first raised suspicions. Investigations showed that Ekes left his quarters alone on a black, unregistered motorbike, riding from Factory 2 to Factory 3 against company policy, and was never seen again, according to Edo State Police Command spokesperson Eno Ikoedem.
The motorbike was later discovered parked along the road that led to Factory 3, she said. Police conducted an official inquiry into his disappearance after searching the nearby jungle and documenting pertinent evidence.
“Further inquiries led to the discovery that the alleged kidnapping was staged after the rider lost the company’s money to gambling activities,” the command confirmed.
According to her, “However, in a turn of events, information was received that the missing person had returned on his own and was reportedly weak. He was taken to a hospital in Okpella, where police operatives visited and monitored his condition.
“Upon his discharge, the suspect initially volunteered his statement alleging that he was kidnapped 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barefoot through the forest for over three days, during which his Tecno Camon mobile phone was taken and funds were withdrawn from his First Bank account.
“Discrete investigation, however, 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 sports betting platform, he then immediately 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 to serve as a deterrent to others.”
