The Edo State Police Command has arrested a young man for allegedly faking his own kidnapping in an attempt to conceal a financial loss incurred through online gambling.
According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, the incident began when a staff member of Dibecs Industry Limited in Okpella reported his nephew, a 21-year-old dispatch officer, missing after he left his duty post and failed to return.
Police operatives launched a search operation, visiting the area and documenting evidence after the missing worker’s unregistered motorcycle was discovered abandoned along the road to another section of the factory.
The situation took a dramatic turn when the supposed victim resurfaced the following day in a weak condition and was taken to a hospital.
In his initial statement, he claimed he had been abducted by unknown men who forced him to trek through the forest for several days while dispossessing him of his phone and money.
However, further investigation revealed that the story was fabricated. Police said the suspect had lost a total of ₦1.308 million belonging to his employer and a customer on an online betting platform days before his disappearance.
Investigators found that he travelled to Abuja after the loss, sold his phone, checked into a hotel, and staged the kidnapping to avoid being held accountable for the missing funds.
He later confessed to the act and is expected to be charged in court.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Monday Agbonika, cautioned the public against filing false distress reports, warning that such actions waste security resources and erode public trust.
He also advised young people to avoid excessive gambling, noting that addiction can drive individuals into desperate and criminal behaviour.
Meanwhile, the command disclosed that it is continuing investigations into other kidnapping cases in the area, including the arrest of suspects linked to the abduction of a medical doctor and the killing of his brother.
