By Peace Erewunmi

Three civil servants in Bayelsa State are set to face prosecution after they were arrested over the alleged theft of government-owned equipment valued at approximately ₦500 million. The suspects are staff members of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Labour, Empowerment and Productivity.

The Bayelsa State Police Command said the arrests followed a petition from the state government after an inspection reportedly uncovered the disappearance of several valuable items from the ministry’s store. Investigators alleged that the suspects conspired to remove the equipment without authorisation.

According to the police, the stolen items include a 110 KVA Perkins generator, a forklift, lathe machines, electric filling machines and other government-owned equipment used for vocational training and empowerment programmes. The recovered items are estimated to be worth about ₦500 million.

Police spokesperson Musa Mohammed said investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the inquiry. He added that efforts are also being intensified to recover any outstanding government property connected to the case.

The police reaffirmed their commitment to protecting public assets and combating corruption, urging citizens to report any suspicious activities involving government property to the appropriate authorities.