FROM ONYEKACHUKWU MELUWA, YENAGOA
Activities at Bayelsa State Civil Service Secretariat in Yenagoa was disrupted on Tuesday, following a suspected Improvised Explosive Device, IED, incident which triggered panic among workers and visitors before security operatives swiftly moved in to secure the premises.
The incident occurred at about 6am within the secretariat located along Ovom axis of the Yenagoa-Mbiama road, close to the Government House, when workers were yet to resume official duties.
However, as news of the suspected explosion filtered out later in the morning, workers who had resumed duties reportedly abandoned their offices over fear of another blast, prompting security agencies to cordon off the area.
Operatives of the State Police Command, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, Unit, Special Drone Unit and other tactical teams, were immediately deployed to the scene to contain the situation and conduct a thorough search of the premises.
In response to the scare, the Head of Civil Service, Dr Wisdom Sawyer ordered the shutdown of activities at the secretariat for the day as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of workers and visitors.
Confirming the incident, the state police command said one suspect had been arrested in connection with the explosion and is currently being interrogated at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Muhammad said the suspected IED explosion occurred at about 0600 hours and was promptly contained by security operatives.
“The Commissioner of Police, Iyamah Edebor, immediately led the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, Special Drone Unit and other tactical teams to the scene,” the statement said.
According to the police, one unexploded IED was discovered during a detailed search of the area and was successfully rendered safe by EOD operatives.
“No life was lost and no property was destroyed,” the statement added.
The police said a 60-year-old man, identified as Pentecost Elijah from Otuan community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident.
Muhammad said the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations, adding that the situation had been brought under control and normalcy restored at the secretariat.
He advised members of the public to remain calm and continue with their lawful activities.
