By Julius Agadaga, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested three staff members of the State Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity over the alleged theft of government equipment valued at more than N500 million.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Musa Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement issued in Yenagoa.
The arrested suspects were identified as Wadi Igiran, 51, from Biseni community in Yenagoa LGA, a hairdressing instructor; Nikade Sunday, 59, from Agbere community in Sagbama LGA; and Azabia Yakie, 59, from Okutukutu community in Yenagoa LGA, who is the Head of the Productivity Department in the ministry.
According to the statement, the case followed a petition after an official inspection of the ministry’s equipment store located within the premises of the Ministry of Transport in Yenagoa.
“On June 22, 2026, at about 10:30am, a team comprising staff members of the ministry and the Head of the Human Resources Management Department on an official inspection of the ministry’s equipment store inspected government equipment under the custody of the department,” DSP Mohammed stated.
“Upon opening the store, it was discovered that several valuable government assets, including a 110 KVA Perkins generator, a forklift, lathe machines, electric filling machines, and other equipment, were missing.”
The PPRO said upon receipt of the petition, the Commissioner of Police directed the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, to commence a discreet investigation, which led to the arrest of the three suspects.
He added that the suspects, all staff members of the ministry, had confessed to the crime during interrogation.
The statement further noted that the stolen forklift had been recovered from a receiver and was currently in the custody of the SCID.
DSP Mohammed said the police would charge the suspects to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Bayelsa State Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity is responsible for vocational training and productivity programmes in the state.
