An early-morning explosion believed to have been caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) disrupted activities at the Bayelsa State Secretariat Complex in Yenagoa on Wednesday.
The blast at the state of Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, which occurred around 6:00 a.m., triggered a swift security response as operatives moved in to secure the area and prevent further threats. Access to the complex was temporarily restricted while safety checks were carried out.
The Bayelsa State Police Command confirmed that no lives were lost and no buildings were damaged in the incident.
In a statement, the Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, said the command received reports of a suspected IED explosion at the secretariat in the early hours of February 11, 2026.
According to him, the police boss immediately led teams from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, Special Drone Unit, and other tactical squads to the scene, where the situation was swiftly brought under control.
He explained that the area was cordoned off, and a thorough search led to the discovery of one unexploded IED, which was safely neutralized by EOD operatives. A 60-year-old man, identified as Pentecost Elijah from the Otuan community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident.
The suspect is currently being interrogated at the State Criminal Investigation Department and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Police assured residents that the situation was under control and urged the public to remain calm and go about their lawful activities.
Following the explosion, the Bayelsa State Government ordered a four-hour suspension of activities at the secretariat as a precaution. The directive, issued by the Head of Service, Dr. Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer, affected more than 6,000 civil servants who were asked to stay away pending the completion of security sweeps.
Security agencies, including the anti-bomb squad, mounted roadblocks along key routes leading to the secretariat and Government House, while surveillance teams searched surrounding buildings to rule out additional threats.
Authorities later declared the area safe, with normal activities gradually resuming after security clearance was granted.
