A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) explosion early Wednesday morning caused panic at the Bayelsa State Secretariat Complex in Yenag
The blast, which occurred around 6:00 a.m., disrupted activities within the government premises and created fear among civil servants and residents in the surrounding area.
Security agencies immediately mobilised to the scene, restricting access to the complex as operatives carried out safety checks to prevent further threats.
Confirming the incident, the Bayelsa State Police Command said no casualties were recorded and no building was damaged.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah, in a statement issued shortly after the explosion, disclosed that tactical units including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squad, a special drone unit and other security teams were deployed without delay.
He explained that the explosion was swiftly contained on arrival, while the area was cordoned off for a thorough search.
During the operation, police operatives discovered an additional unexploded device, which was safely neutralised by the EOD team.
CP Iyamah also announced the arrest of a suspect identified as Pentecost Elijah, a 60-year-old man from Otuan community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. The suspect was apprehended at the scene and is currently undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department.
The police commissioner assured the public that normalcy had been restored and urged residents to remain calm.
Following the incident, the Bayelsa State Government ordered a four-hour suspension of work at the secretariat as a precautionary measure. The directive, issued by the Head of Service, Dr Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer, affected more than 6,000 civil servants.
Meanwhile, security operatives blocked major roads leading to the secretariat and Government House, while surveillance teams conducted sweeps of nearby buildings.
Authorities later confirmed that the area had been declared safe, with activities gradually returning to normal.
