Breaking: Explosive Panic at Bayelsa Secretariat as Bomb Detonates

Around 6:00 am, the explosion was said to have temporarily disrupted official operations while security personnel rushed in to secure the area and evaluate the situation.

CP Iyamah, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, confirmed the development in a statement provided to reporters, stating that no one was killed and no property was harmed.

In the State Secretariat Complex, a suspected IED explosion happened today, February 11, 2026, at approximately 0600 hours. The Bayelsa State Police Command would like to notify the public of this incident. He claimed, “I led the Special Drone Unit, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, and other Tactical Teams to the scene right away.”

“The Explosive Ordinance Unit personnel quickly contained the explosion upon their arrival at the scene.”

He also said that another explosive device had been found and neutralized, and that the area was again secure.

Iyamah stated: “The area was cordoned off right away, and after a thorough search, EOD personnel found one unexploded IED and made it safe.” No property was destroyed, no lives were lost.

In connection with the incident, a 60-year-old man named One Pentecost Elijah from Otuan Community in Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State, was taken into custody on the spot.

He stated that the suspect is being questioned at the State Criminal Investigation Department at the moment and would face charges in court after the investigations are finished.

“I want to let you know that everything is under control and that things are back to normal. The people is encouraged to maintain their composure and carry on with their legitimate commercial operations,” the police commissioner continued.

Following the event, the Bayelsa State Government reportedly imposed a brief four-hour work stoppage at the secretariat as a precaution.

More than 6,000 state personnel were impacted by the instruction, which was issued by Dr. Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer, the Head of Service.

While investigations and safety measures were conducted, security personnel, including members of the anti-bomb squad, blocked off access roads to Government House and the State Secretariat.

Subsequently, authorities verified that the crisis had been completely controlled and that regular operations had resumed.