The police in Bayelsa State are investigating the looting of valuables, including jewellery worth over N300 million belonging to former President Goodluck Jonathan by his domestic workers and relatives.
Operatives were said to have arrested some suspects, who allegedly broke into the palatial home of Jonathan at Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government and stole the items, including customised walking sticks.
The police were coordinated by operatives of “Puff Adder”, a new police tactical squad launched by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu.
Sources identified the arrested suspects as domestic workers and relatives of ex-President Jonathan.
It was learnt that one of the suspects and a management worker of Patience Jonathan’s Aridolf Resort, Hotel and Spa illegally duplicated the keys to the rooms where the valuables were kept.
He reportedly gained entrance to the treasure room and removed most of the valuables.
It was gathered that some persons uncovered the theft and reported the matter to the police, who effected the arrest and recovered some of the valuables.
It was learnt that the incident shocked the former first lady, who wondered why they resorted to stealing her husband’s belongings instead of hers.
A security source, who confirmed the development, said the theft was carried out by persons working as domestic employees to the former first family.
“It was not done by outsiders. The suspects have been working for the former first family. They decided to help themselves. One of them is a domestic servant, who is responsible for keeping the key to the room where the treasures were kept.
“The other ones share relationship with former President Jonathan. I know that the police arrested some of them. I don’t know the monetary value of the stolen items. Only Patience Jonathan can say the value.
“They are already making useful confession to the police and money from the proceeds is being recovered,” the source, who spoke in confidence, said.
