The blast occurred at about 6:00 a.m., leading to swift intervention by the Bayelsa State Police Command. Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah, said in a statement that no casualties were recorded and no property was damaged.
A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) detonated early Wednesday at the Bayelsa State Secretariat Complex in Yenagoa, prompting an emergency response from security agencies and a temporary disruption of official activities.
The blast occurred at about 6:00 a.m., leading to swift intervention by the Bayelsa State Police Command. Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah, said in a statement that no casualties were recorded and no property was damaged.
According to him, police immediately deployed the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, the Special Drone Unit and other tactical teams to the scene.
On arrival, operatives quickly contained the situation, cordoned off the area and carried out a detailed search. One unexploded device was discovered and safely neutralised.
A suspect, identified as Pentecost Elijah, a 60-year-old man from Otuan Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident.
He is currently being questioned at the State Criminal Investigation Department and will be charged in court after investigations are concluded.
The police commissioner added that normalcy had been restored and urged residents to remain calm and continue their lawful activities.
In response, 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 personnel, including the anti-bomb squad, also blocked access roads leading to the State Secretariat and the Bayelsa Government House while safety checks and investigations were carried out.
Authorities later confirmed that the situation had been fully brought under control.
Separately, in 2024, a bomb explosion in Niger State killed one child and injured four others in the Bassa community of Shiroro Local Government Area after the children reportedly picked up the device and began playing with it before it detonated.
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