- Suspected IED Explodes at Bayelsa Secretariat One Arrested
- CP Iyamah said no casualties were recorded and no property was damaged
- The Bayelsa State Government ordered a precautionary four-hour closure of work at the Secretariat
A suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated early Wednesday at the Bayelsa State Secretariat Complex in Yenagoa, prompting an immediate security response and temporary disruption of official activities.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the explosion occurred at about 6:00 am, leading to swift intervention by the Bayelsa State Police Command.
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Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Iyamah, said no casualties were recorded and no property was damaged.
According to him, the police EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Unit, Special Drone Unit and other tactical teams were deployed to the scene immediately after the blast.
“On arrival, operatives swiftly contained the situation. The area was cordoned off, and after a detailed search, one unexploded IED was identified and rendered safe. No life was lost and no property was destroyed,” he said.
Police arrested a 60-year-old man, identified as Pentecost Elijah from Otuan Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, in connection with the incident. He is currently being interrogated at the State Criminal Investigation Department and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
The police assured residents that the situation is under control and urged members of the public to remain calm and continue their lawful activities.
Following the explosion, the Bayelsa State Government ordered a precautionary four-hour closure of work at the Secretariat, 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, also cordoned off access roads leading to the State Secretariat and Government House while investigations were ongoing.
Authorities confirmed that normalcy has since been restored.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of the country. In 2024, a bomb explosion in Niger State killed one child and injured four others after children reportedly found and played with an explosive device in Shiroro Local Government Area.
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