A suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated early Wednesday at the Bayelsa State Secretariat Complex in Yenagoa, triggering a swift security response and temporary disruption of official activities.
The explosion occurred around 6:00 a.m., prompting immediate intervention by the Bayelsa State Police Command and other tactical units.
Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Iyamah, assured residents that no casualty was recorded and no property was damaged.
In a statement, the police chief said he personally led the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, Special Drone Unit and other tactical teams to the scene following reports of the blast within the Secretariat Complex.
According to him, EOD operatives quickly secured the area and contained the explosion. A detailed sweep of the vicinity led to the discovery of one unexploded IED, which was safely defused.
Police arrested a 60-year-old suspect, Pentecost Elijah, from Otuan Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, at the scene in connection with the incident.
“He is currently undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department. Upon conclusion of investigation, the suspect will be charged to court,” Iyamah said, adding that normalcy had been restored.
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He urged residents to remain calm and go about their lawful activities, stressing that the situation was under control.
Following the blast, the Bayelsa State Government ordered a four-hour suspension of work as a precautionary measure, affecting more than 6,000 state employees. The directive was issued by the Head of Service, Dr. Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer.
Security operatives, including the anti-bomb squad, cordoned off access roads leading to the State Secretariat and the Government House while investigations and safety checks were conducted.
Authorities said the threat had been fully neutralised.
In 2024, a bomb explosion in Bassa community, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, killed a child and injured four others after the victims reportedly picked up and played with an explosive device found on the ground.
