Three civil servants in Bayelsa arrested for stealing N500 million worth of equipment

The Bayelsa police have arrested three civil servants for allegedly stealing government equipment worth about N500 million.

The police spokesman, Musa Mohammed, shared this information in a statement to journalists in Bayelsa on Saturday.

Mr Mohammed said the suspects are accused of working together to steal various government-owned assets from the Bayelsa Ministry of Labour, Empowerment and Productivity.

The stolen items included a 110 KVA Perkins generator, a forklift, lathe machines, electric filling machines, and other equipment.

He explained that the investigation started after a petition was submitted to the police commissioner. This came after officials noticed missing assets during an inspection.

"On June 22, at about 10:30 a.m., the petitioner led a team made up of ministry staff and the Head of Human Resources Management for an inspection," he noted.

Mr Mohammed said they inspected the equipment store located on the premises of the Ministry of Transport in Yenagoa.

"When they opened the store, they found that several valuable government assets, including a 110 KVA Perkins generator, a forklift, and lathe machines, were missing," he added.

Following this, the police commissioner instructed the State Criminal Investigation Department to carry out a careful investigation.

This investigation led to the arrest of three suspects: Wadi Igiran, 51; Nikade Sunday, 59; and Azabia Yakie, 59.

Mr Mohammed mentioned that Igiran is from the Besine community in Yenagoa Local Government Area, while Sunday hails from Agbere in Sagbama LGA. Yakie is from Okutukutu community in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

According to him, all three suspects work in the ministry and have confessed to the crime.

"The forklift has been recovered from the person who received it, and he is also in the custody of the SCID," Mr Mohammed stated.

He said the suspects would face charges in court once the investigation is over.

Mr Mohammed emphasized the police command's commitment to protecting public assets and fighting economic and property crimes.

"The command is dedicated to ensuring that everyone involved in criminal activities is brought to justice," he said.