Police Arrest 3 Bayelsa Ministry Staff Over Alleged N500m Equipment Theft
The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested three staff members of the State Ministry of Labour, Empowerment and Productivity over the alleged theft of government equipment valued at more than N500 million.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Musa Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Yenagoa.
He identified the suspects as Wadi Igiran, 51, a hairdressing instructor from Besine community in Yenagoa Local Government Area; Nikade Sunday, 59, from Agbere community in Sagbama LGA; and Azabia Yakie, 59, Head of the Productivity Department in the ministry and a native of Okutukutu community in Yenagoa LGA.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly conspired to steal several government-owned assets, including a 110 KVA Perkins generator, a forklift, lathe machines, electric filling machines and other valuable equipment.
Mohammed said the investigation followed a petition submitted to the Commissioner of Police after ministry officials discovered the items missing during an inspection of an equipment store located within the Ministry of Transport premises in Yenagoa.
He explained that the inspection, conducted on June 22, 2026, by officials from the ministry and the Human Resources Management Department, revealed that several pieces of equipment kept in the store had disappeared.
The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police subsequently directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to launch a discreet investigation.
The operation led to the arrest of the three ministry workers, who reportedly confessed to the alleged crime during interrogation.
Mohammed added that the stolen forklift had been recovered from a suspected receiver and was currently in the custody of the SCID as investigations continue.
He said the suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Bayelsa State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public property, tackling economic and property-related crimes, and ensuring that those involved in criminal activities are prosecuted.
