The Edo State Police Command has uncovered a staged kidnapping involving a 21-year-old dispatch officer who allegedly attempted to conceal a ₦1.3 million gambling loss.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Moses Yamu, disclosed the incident in a statement issued on Monday.

According to the statement, the case was reported on January 30, 2026, at about 4:00 pm, when one Moses Ekes informed the Okpella Police Division that his nephew, David Ekes, an employee of Dibecs Industry Limited, had been missing since January 27.

“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, had been missing since 27/01/2026 at about 2030hrs.

“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,” the statement read.

Following the report, operatives of the Okpella Police Division visited the scene, searched the surrounding bush and commenced an investigation.

However, in a twist, the police said information was received the following morning, January 31, 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,” the statement added.

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barefoot through the forest for more than three days, during which his Tecno Camon mobile phone was taken and funds withdrawn from his First Bank account.

However, police investigations revealed that the suspect had travelled to Abuja shortly after the incident, sold his mobile phone, lodged in a hotel, and staged his own kidnapping to cover up the missing funds.

“Discrete investigation has revealed that between 25/01/2026 and 26/01/2026, the suspect lost a total sum of ₦1,308,000.00 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 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,” the police said.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Monday Agbonika, warned members of the public against false distress reports and criminal deception, noting that such actions waste critical security resources and undermine public trust.

He also cautioned young people involved in gambling to act responsibly, warning that addiction often leads to desperation and criminal behaviour.

The Airport Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old suspect, Precious Onudhona, over an alleged romance scam involving ₦48.5 million.

The suspect, a native of Delta State, was arrested on February 2, 2026, while attempting to board a flight from Lagos to Asaba, Delta State, following what the police described as “actionable intelligence.”

Confirming the arrest in a statement on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Mohammed Adeola, said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Anti-Fraud Unit as part of the command’s sustained efforts to prevent criminal elements from exploiting the aviation environment.

Adeola stated, “The Anti-Fraud Unit of the Airport Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old suspect in connection with a large-scale fraud amounting to ₦48,500,000, equivalent to approximately $35,000.”

He disclosed that preliminary investigations showed the suspect became involved in fraudulent activities in 2023 after joining a syndicate specialising in romance-related scams.

According to him, “Investigations revealed that the syndicate targeted unsuspecting victims through social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, using false identities and deceptive narratives to defraud them.”

The police spokesperson added that the suspect allegedly posed as “Travis Kevin,” whom he described as “a white American medical doctor,” to gain the trust of his victims.

Adeola said, “The suspect fraudulently created a fake banking domain with fictitious account balances, which he used to solicit funds from victims under the guise of repaying them within a short period.”

He explained that the suspect claimed the funds were required for feeding and medical supplies after allegedly sustaining injuries in the line of duty, noting that the payments were received through cryptocurrency transactions.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Police Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the case.

Adeola quoted the commissioner as saying, “A thorough and detailed investigation must be conducted to ensure justice is served and that all other members of the fraud syndicate are identified and apprehended.”

She further reaffirmed the command’s stance against criminal activities within airport facilities, stressing that “the aviation environment is a highly sensitive corridor that must not be exploited for unlawful activities.”

The police spokesperson added that the suspect would be transferred to the Interpol Section for further investigation and prosecution.

The arrest comes weeks after the command apprehended another suspected internet fraudster. It was reported earlier this month that operatives of the Airport Police Command arrested a 20-year-old suspect, Essien Akpama, for allegedly defrauding foreign victims—mostly in the United States—of about ₦1.25 billion and several high-end electronic gadgets.