Metro

Edo Police Uncover Alleged Staged Kidnap Over N1.3m Gambling Fraud

Published

3 months ago

February 9, 2026

The Edo State Police Command has uncovered an alleged staged kidnapping involving a dispatch officer of Dibecs Industry Limited, Okpella, who reportedly orchestrated his own disappearance to conceal a ₦1.308 million gambling loss.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer Eno Ikoedem disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

According to the Police, the suspect, David Ekes, 21, a dispatch officer with Dibecs Industry Limited located at Km 162, Auchi–Okene Expressway, Okpella, was reported missing on January 30, 2026, by his uncle, Moses Ekes, at the Okpella Police Division.

Ikoedem said the suspect was last seen on January 27, 2026, at about 8:30pm when he left his residence riding a black, unregistered motorcycle from Factory 2 to Factory 3 of the company, an act said to be contrary to the firm’s operational policy.

“He was not seen or heard from thereafter, while the motorcycle was later discovered abandoned along the road leading to Factory 3 and was subsequently recovered to the company’s main office,” the police said.

Following the report, operatives of the Okpella Police Division were said to have promptly visited the scene, combed the surrounding bush paths, documented relevant findings and commenced a full-scale investigation into the reported disappearance.

However, in a dramatic twist, the police revealed that information was received on January 31, 2026, at about 8:00am that the allegedly kidnapped dispatch officer had resurfaced on his own and was said to be in a weak condition.

“He was taken to a hospital in Okpella, where police operatives visited and closely monitored his condition,” the statement added.

The police said that after his discharge from the hospital, the suspect alleged during interrogation 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to trek barefoot through the forest for over three days, during which his Tecno Camon mobile phone was seized and funds withdrawn from his First Bank account.

However, further discreet investigation by the Command allegedly revealed that between January 25 and 26, 2026, the suspect lost a total sum of N1,308,000, belonging to his company and a customer, through online gambling on a visual sporty betting platform.

Police findings further showed that the suspect immediately travelled to Abuja, sold his mobile phone, lodged in a hotel and deliberately staged his own kidnapping to cover up the financial loss.

Confronted with the evidence, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime.

The police said he would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigation to serve as a deterrent to others.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, warned members of the public against raising false distress reports and engaging in criminal deception, noting that such acts undermine public confidence and waste critical security resources.

The Commissioner also cautioned youths involved in gambling to exercise restraint, stressing that addiction often leads to desperation and criminal tendencies.

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.