Three Bayelsa Workers Arrested for Stealing N500 Million in Government Equipment

The Bayelsa State Police have arrested three workers from the state Ministry of Labour, Empowerment and Productivity. They are accused of stealing government equipment worth about N500 million.

The suspects are said to have teamed up to steal several assets owned by the government. This includes a 110 KVA Perkins generator, a forklift, lathe machines, electric filling machines, and more from the ministry’s store.

DSP Musa Mohammed, the police spokesperson, announced the arrests in a statement on Saturday in Yenagoa.

Mohammed explained that the investigation started after officials at the ministry found out that valuable items were missing during an inspection of the equipment store.

He said, "On June 22, 2026, at about 10:30 a.m., the petitioner led a team made up of ministry staff and the Head of the Department of Human Resources Management on an official inspection of the ministry’s equipment store. This store is located within the Ministry of Transport premises in Yenagoa. When they opened the store, they discovered that several valuable government assets, including a 110 KVA Perkins generator, a forklift, lathe machines, electric filling machines, and other equipment, were missing."

"After receiving the petition, the Commissioner of Police ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to start a discreet investigation. This led to the arrest of three suspects," he added.

The suspects have been named as “Wadi Igiran, 51, from Besine community in Yenagoa Local Government Area; Nikade Sunday, 59, from Agbere community in Sagbama Local Government Area; and Azabia Yakie, 59, from Okutukutu community in Yenagoa Local Government Area.”

Mohammed also mentioned, "All the suspects, who are staff members of the ministry, have confessed to the crime. The forklift has been recovered from the person it was sold to and is now with the State Criminal Investigation Department. After the investigation is complete, the suspects will face charges in court."

He stressed that the police are dedicated to protecting public assets. He said, "The command is committed to safeguarding government property, fighting economic and property crimes, and making sure that everyone involved in criminal acts faces justice."