Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
YENAGOA, Nigeria — Panic swept through Bayelsa State’s administrative hub in the early hours of Wednesday, February 11, 2026, after a suspected bomb exploded within the Bayelsa State Secretariat Complex in the state capital. Authorities quickly mobilised security teams, detained a 60-year-old suspect at the scene, and assured the public that normalcy had since been restored, even as investigations continue into the motive behind the incident.
The explosion occurred at approximately 6:00 a.m. local time within the sprawling Government Secretariat grounds, according to statements issued by the Bayelsa State Police Command. The device is believed to have been an improvised explosive device (IED), and while the blast was audible and caused alarm among workers and residents, there were no reported fatalities or physical injuries, and no significant structural damage was observed at the complex, as confirmed by multiple security sources.
Officials said the initial explosion prompted a swift response by police and specialised units, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, the Special Drone Unit, and other tactical teams under the direction of the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor. These teams secured the scene, conducted safety sweeps, and identified a second unexploded device within the Secretariat precincts, which was safely neutralised to prevent further risk.
During the operation, security operatives arrested a 60-year-old man identified as Pentecost Elijah, a resident of Otuan Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He was taken into custody at the scene and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for questioning, where he is currently being interrogated as part of the ongoing inquiry. Authorities stated that he would be charged in court once preliminary investigations are concluded.
Eyewitness accounts from civil servants arriving for work described a sudden blast that shattered the relative quiet of the early morning. The noise triggered a mass evacuation of staff and visitors to the Secretariat, with many fleeing towards nearby streets and open spaces as security warnings spread across the complex. Several workers described initial confusion and fear before security forces could secure the perimeter.
In response to the threat, the Bayelsa State Government temporarily suspended operations at the Secretariat for about four hours as a precautionary measure. The directive, issued by the Head of Service, Dr. Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer, affected more than 6,000 civil servants who were ordered to remain away from the complex while security teams completed thorough sweeps and ensured the area was safe for resumption of work.
Police cordoned off access roads leading to the State Secretariat and nearby Government House during the security operation. Law enforcement personnel and bomb squads conducted extensive checks not only within office buildings but also in adjacent structures to eliminate the possibility of additional devices. Only after these checks were completed were workers recalled and public access restored.
Authorities have urged residents and civil servants to remain calm and resume normal activities, stressing that the situation is under control. DSP Musa Mohammed, the police spokesperson for Bayelsa State, reiterated that the command is committed to maintaining safety and preventing any further escalation. He reaffirmed that the investigation would address both the individual apprehended and any broader threats that may be uncovered.
At this stage, police and security analysts have not established a clear motive for the bombing. Officials have indicated that interrogations are ongoing and that a range of possibilities — from personal grievances to politically motivated violence or criminal intent — are being considered. There have been no credible claims of responsibility from any group, and no announcements linking the suspect to known militant, criminal, or extremist networks.
The Secretary’s complex houses offices of key state ministries and agencies responsible for governance and public services. Disruption to daily operations — even temporarily — highlighted vulnerabilities in security protocols at a facility that is central to the functioning of state government. In response, authorities have pledged to review and tighten protective measures around critical infrastructure and public institutions across Bayelsa.
Security officials have also pointed out that the use of improvised explosive devices in attacks in Nigeria has become more prominent in recent years, though the South-South region, including Bayelsa, has seen comparatively fewer explosive incidents than parts of the country grappling with jihadist insurgencies and banditry in the North. Independent analysts noted that even isolated events like this can have a disproportionate psychological impact on communities and undermine public confidence in security arrangements if not addressed transparently and decisively.
The Bayelsa incident comes amid broader national concerns about the safety of government installations and public spaces. Federal and state authorities have in recent years worked to enhance intelligence gathering, interagency coordination, and rural as well as urban security coverage to mitigate threats from criminal elements and non-state actors. Efforts to engage local communities in early warning systems and public-private partnerships for infrastructure protection have also been pursued.
Local political figures and civil society leaders in Bayelsa have called for a transparent probe into the explosion and the suspect’s alleged involvement. Several observers emphasised the importance of distinguishing between isolated acts by individuals and organised plots that could signal deeper security challenges. Analysts also stressed that the speed of response by law enforcement and the absence of casualties were positive indicators of the effectiveness of current emergency response frameworks, even as they acknowledged that continued vigilance is necessary.
As the investigation unfolds, residents of Yenagoa and Bayelsa at large are watching closely for additional information from law enforcement agencies. Questions regarding how the device was brought into the Secretariat, whether there were accomplices, and what the suspect’s motives might have been remain central to the inquiry. Police have appealed to anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.
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