David Ekes, a 21-year-old dispatch rider with Dibecs Industry Limited in Edo State, staged his own abduction after losing N1.3 million to online gambling. He sold his phone, checked into an Abuja hotel, and told police three armed men took him and the money. His brother reported him missing, prompting police to investigate.

Enquiries revealed Ekes lost the company’s money on a sports betting platform between January 25 and 26, 2026. He confessed to the crime, citing pressure from gambling losses. Police will arraign him in court as a deterrent.

The Edo State Police Command warned against false distress reports, noting such actions undermine public confidence and waste security resources. Commissioner Monday Agbonika advised youths to gamble responsibly, as addiction can lead to desperation and crime.