Bayelsa Police Arrest Three Civil Servants for Alleged N500m Theft of Government Equipment

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested three staff members of the Ministry of Labour, Empowerment, and Productivity for allegedly stealing government equipment worth about ₦500 million.

The Command’s spokesperson, Musa Mohammed, said the suspects were picked up after an inspection revealed that key assets had gone missing from the ministry’s equipment store in Yenagoa.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Mohammed said the case began on June 22 about 10:30am, when a petition was submitted to the Commissioner of Police.

The petitioner, who led a team of ministry staff members and the Head of Human Resources Management, had gone to inspect the store located within the premises of the Ministry of Transport.

—Missing assets discovered during inspection—

“Upon opening the store, it was discovered that several valuable government assets, including a 110 KVA Perkins generator, forklift and lathe machines, were missing,” Mohammed said.

Other items listed as stolen include electric filling machines and assorted equipment.

Following the petition, the Commissioner of Police directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to carry out a discreet investigation.

—Suspects arrested, forklift recovered—

The probe led to the arrest of three civil servants: Wadi Igiran, 51, from Besine community in Yenagoa LGA; Nikade Sunday, 59, from Agbere in Sagbama LGA; and Azabia Yakie, 59, from Okutukutu community in Yenagoa LGA.

Mohammed said all three are staff of the Ministry of Labour, Empowerment, and Productivity, and have confessed to the alleged crime.

“The forklift had been recovered from the receiver, who is also in the custody of the SCID,” he added.

The police said investigations are ongoing to trace and recover the remaining items.

—Command vows to protect public assets—

Mohammed said the suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.

“The command is committed to ensuring that all those involved in criminal activities are brought to justice,” he said, reiterating the police’s commitment to protecting public assets and tackling economic and property-related crimes.