Bayelsa Ministry Staff Arrested for N500m Theft

Three individuals were arrested by the Bayelsa State Police Command for their alleged involvement in the theft of government equipment worth N500 million from the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The suspects are Wadi Igiran, a 51-year-old hairdresser instructor from Besin Community, Nikad Sundai, a 59-year-old from Agber Community, and Azabia Yaki, a 59-year-old head of the product department from Okutukutu Community.

The theft was discovered during an inspection of the ministry's equipment store in Yenagoa, where several valuable assets, including a 110 KVA Perkins generator and a forklift, were found missing. Following a petition to the police on June 22, 2026, a criminal investigation was initiated, leading to the arrests.

The suspects have confessed to the crime, and the stolen forklift has been recovered. The police stated that upon concluding the investigation, the suspects will be charged in court.

Additionally, two suspects were arrested for vandalizing the Angiama Oporoma Bridge.