By Abasi Ita
The Edo State Police Command has uncovered a staged kidnapping involving an employee of Dibecs Industry Limited, located at Km 162, Auchi Okene Expressway, Okpella.
The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, CSP Eno Ikoedem.
According to the statement, the case was first reported on January 30, 2026, at about 4 pm when one Moses Ekes reported at the Okpella Police Division that his nephew, David Ekes, aged 21, a dispatch officer with the company, was missing.
Police said David Ekes left his residence on January 27, 2026, at about 8.30 pm on a black unregistered motorcycle, travelling alone from Factory Two to Factory Three, contrary to company policy. He was not seen thereafter, while the motorcycle was later found abandoned along the road leading to Factory Three and recovered to the company’s main office.
Following the report, operatives of the Okpella Police Division visited the area, searched the surrounding bush and commenced investigations.
In a twist, the missing employee returned on his own on January 31, 2026, at about 8 am, appearing weak. He was taken to a hospital in Okpella where he received medical attention under police monitoring.
After his discharge, the suspect initially claimed that he was kidnapped by three unidentified men and forced to trek barefoot through the forest for several days, during which his mobile phone was taken and money withdrawn from his bank account.
However, discreet investigations revealed that between January 25 and January 26, 2026, the suspect lost a total sum of ₦1,308,000 belonging to his company and a customer through online gambling on a visual sporty betting platform.
Police further revealed that the suspect travelled to Abuja shortly after the loss, sold his mobile phone, lodged in a hotel and deliberately staged his own kidnapping to conceal the financial loss.
The command said the suspect has confessed to the act and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, warned members of the public against false distress reports and criminal deception, noting that such actions undermine public trust and waste valuable security resources. He also cautioned youths involved in gambling to do so responsibly, stressing that addiction often leads to desperation and criminal behaviour.