The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested three government employees on charges of conspiring to steal government property valued at approximately 500 million Naira.
The command's spokesperson, Musa Mohammed, stated in a press release that the three individuals are suspected of stealing equipment belonging to the state's Ministry of Labour, Youth Development, and Employment Creation.
According to him, the stolen items include a 110 KVA Perkins generator, a forklift, lathe machines, filling machines, electrical fittings, and other valuable equipment.
Mohammed said the investigation began after a petition was submitted to the Commissioner of Police, following the discovery of missing government property by ministry officials during an audit conducted on June 22.
He explained that the investigative team, along with ministry officials and the head of the department in charge of staff, inspected the equipment storage room located at the Ministry of Transport premises in Yenagoa, where they discovered that some essential items had gone missing.
After receiving the report, the state Commissioner of Police ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to conduct a discreet investigation.
The investigation led to the arrest of 51-year-old Wadi Igiran from the Besine area in Yenagoa Local Government Area, 59-year-old Nikade Sunday from Agbere in Sagbama Local Government Area, and 59-year-old Azabia Yakie from Okutukutu in Yenagoa.
The spokesperson said all of them are ministry employees, and they have responded to the charges against them.
Mohammed said the suspects will be arraigned in court after the investigation is completed.