Authorities in Nigeria have taken three individuals into custody who are employed by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Labour, Empowerment and Productivity. They face accusations regarding the disappearance of government machinery estimated at over N500 million.
DSP Musa Mohammed, the spokesperson for the Bayelsa Police, confirmed the arrests in Yenagoa. The detained suspects are 51-year-old hairdressing instructor Wadi Igiran, 59-year-old ministry employee Nikade Sunday, and 59-year-old Head of Productivity Azabia Yakie.
The investigation began after a formal complaint was filed with the Commissioner of Police. On June 22, 2026, officials conducting a routine audit at a storage facility within the Ministry of Transport grounds realized that essential gear—such as a 110 KVA Perkins generator, a forklift, and various industrial machines—had been removed without authorization.
The State Criminal Investigation Department took charge of the inquiry, resulting in the apprehension of the three suspects. According to the police, the individuals have admitted to their involvement, and investigators have successfully recovered the stolen forklift from the person who received it. Plans are currently underway to prosecute the suspects once the legal review is complete. The police command emphasized its dedication to safeguarding state assets and pursuing anyone linked to such criminal activities.
