By Janefrances Chibundu

The Bayelsa police command has arrested three civil servants over the alleged theft of government equipment valued at about N500 million.

Musa Mohammed, spokesperson of the command, said in a statement on Saturday that the suspects conspired to steal government-owned assets belonging to the Bayelsa ministry of labour, empowerment and productivity.

He listed the stolen items as a 110 KVA Perkins generator, a forklift, lathe machines, electric filling machines, and other equipment.

Mohammed said the arrests followed a petition submitted to the commissioner of police after ministry officials discovered that several assets were missing during an inspection.

He said the inspection was carried out on June 22 at about 10:30am by a team led by the petitioner, alongside ministry officials and the head of human resources management.

Mohammed said the team inspected the ministry’s equipment store located within the premises of the ministry of transport in Yenagoa.

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

Mohammed said the commissioner of police subsequently directed the state criminal investigation department (SCID) to launch a discreet investigation.

He said the probe led to the arrest of Wadi Igiran, 51, from Besine community in Yenagoa LGA; Nikade Sunday, 59, from Agbere community in Sagbama LGA; and Azabia Yakie, 59, from Okutukutu community in Yenagoa LGA.

The police spokesperson said the three suspects are staff members of the ministry and have confessed to the alleged offence.

He added that the stolen forklift has been recovered from the receiver, who is also in the custody of the SCID.

Mohammed added that the suspects would be charged in court after investigations are concluded.

Source: TheCable