Metro

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

Published

4 months ago

February 9, 2026

Editor

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to trek barefoot through the forest for over three days, during which his Tecno Camon mobile phone was seized and funds withdrawn from his First Bank account.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

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.