Bomb scare at Bayelsa State secretariat

•  Police arrest one suspect

From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

There was a bomb scare on Wednesday at the Bayelsa State Secretariat, over a strange explosion which sent shock waves among civil servants and residents of Yenagoa, the state capital.

According to investigations, the Head of Service, Mr Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer, after consultations, directed the evacuation of civil servants from the main secretariat building and those whose offices were in adjoining annex buildings to allow a thorough search by the Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team.

‘’ The explosion was said to have occurred at the main secretariat building, where the office of the Secretary to the State Government was located. But all of us were asked to go home to ensure our safety,’’ a Civil servant at the Ministry of Mineral Resources said.

Another civil servant said an aggrieved man who claimed to be a contractor, owed by the state government for projects executed, claimed he was responsible for the explosion, and disclosed that more explosive devices were planted within the complex.

The man who was said to have gained entry into the state secretariat early Wednesday morning to detonate the explosive close to the office of the SSG, threatened to detonate more if he was not paid immediately.

The Commissioner, Bayelsa State Police Command, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, swiftly led the EOD and other tactical teams, including the Special Drone Unit and other tactical units, to the scene to detect other explosives in the area.

CP Iyamah and the Police team, after cordoning off the area, were able to contain the explosion and also discovered and neutralised one unexploded Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

Mr Musa Mohammed, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Bayelsa Police Command, confirmed the explosion and the swift action of the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police.

Mohammed, who added that no life was lost, also confirmed the arrest of one suspect, identified as 60-year-old Pentecost Elijah, who is currently undergoing interrogation.

‘’The Bayelsa State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a suspected IED explosion which occurred today, 11th February 2026, within the State Secretariat Complex.

‘’The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, immediately led the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Unit, Special Drone Unit, and other Tactical Teams to the scene.

‘’On arrival at the scene, the operatives of the Explosive Ordinance Unit swiftly contained the explosion. The area was immediately cordoned off, and upon detailed search, one unexploded IED was identified by EOD operatives and was rendered safe. No life lost, no property destroyed. One Pentecost Elijah from Otuan Community in Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State, was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident.

‘’He is currently undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department, and upon conclusion, the suspect will be charged in court.

‘’The situation is under control, and normalcy has been restored. Members of the public are advised to remain calm and continue with their lawful business activities’’ Mohammed stated.