A bomb scare at the Bayelsa State Secretariat in Yenagoa in the early hours of Wednesday resulted in mass evacuation of civil servants and visitors.
Reports say an unidentified protester claimed to have planted explosives within the premises but security forces responded swiftly, ordering an immediate evacuation of the complex to safeguard lives.
After a thorough sweep by the Police Anti-Bomb Squad, the suspected explosives were discovered to be low-capacity firecrackers, commonly known as “bangers,” which were incapable of causing structural damage.
The suspect was promptly arrested at the scene and is currently in police custody.
Although calm has since been restored, the Head of Civil Service directed workers to suspend operations for the day as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of staff and visitors.
Meanwhile , the Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed a suspected Improvised Explosive Device, IED explosion which occurred at about Six O’clock in the morning within the State Secretariat Complex in Yenagoa.
A statement by the Spokesman for the Command, Mr. Musa Mohammed says the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command Mr Iyamah Edobor immediately led the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Unit, Special Drone Unit and other Tactical Teams to the scene.
According to the statement, on arrival at the scene the operatives of the Explosive Ordinance Unit swiftly contained the explosion.
It says the area was immediately cordoned off and upon detailed search one unexploded IED was identified by EOD operatives and was rendered safe.
According to the statement no life was lost and no property destroyed.
The Police confirms that a Sixty year old, Pentecost Elijah, from Otuan Community in Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State, was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident and is currently under going interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department and upon conclusion the suspect will be charged to court.
