Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - The Edo State Police command has arrested a man identified as Moses Ekes for staging his own kidnapping in the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem,
disclosed this in a statement released on Monday, February 9.
According to Ikoedem, on January 30, 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 January 27 at about 8.30pm.
‘’The said
David Ekes 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 promptly visited the
scene, conducted a thorough search of the surrounding bush area, and documented
relevant findings, while investigation commenced immediately.”Ikoedem said
The police imagemaker noted that in a turn of events, on
Jnuary 31 at about 8am, the missing person returned on his own, reportedly
weak, and was taken to a hospital in Okpella, where police operatives visited
and monitored his condition.
She added
“Upon his
discharge, the suspect initially volunteered his statement alleging that he was
k!dnapped 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funds withdrawn from his First Bank account.
Discrete
investigation, however, has 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 sporty betting platform.
He then
immediately travelled to Abuja, sold his mobile phone, lodged in a hotel, and
deliberately staged his own k!dnapping 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.” she said
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday
Agbonika, warned members of the public against false distress reports and acts
of criminal deception, noting that such actions “undermine public confidence
and waste critical security resources.”
He also advised youths involved in gambling to do so
responsibly, “as addiction often leads to desperation and criminal tendencies.”
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