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Bomb explosion rocks Bayelsa secretariat

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A suspected Improvised Explosive Device was detonated early Wednesday at the Bayelsa State Secretariat Complex in Yenagoa.

The explosion, however, prompted an emergency response from security agencies and a temporary disruption of official activities.

The explosion occurred at about 6:00 am, triggering swift intervention by the Bayelsa State Police Command.

Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Iyamah, in a statement on Wednesday, assured residents that no casualties were recorded and no property was damaged.

He said, “The Bayelsa State Police Command wish to inform the general public of a suspected IED explosion which occurred today, 11th February 2026, at about 0600hrs within the State Secretariat Complex. I immediately led the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Unit, Special Drone Unit and other Tactical Teams to the scene.

“On arrival at the scene, the operatives of the Explosive Ordinance Unit swiftly contained the explosion.

“The area was immediately cordoned off and upon detailed search, one unexploded IED was identified by EOD operatives and was rendered safe. No life lost, no property destroyed. One Pentecost Elijah, a 60-year-old man from Otuan Community in Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State, was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident.

“He is currently undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department and upon conclusion, the suspect will be charged in court. Let me inform you that the situation is under control and normalcy has been restored. Members of the public are advised to remain calm and continue with their lawful business activities.”

Following the incident, the Bayelsa State Government ordered a temporary closure of work for four hours, affecting over 6,000 state employees as a precautionary measure.

See also  Borno bombings: Killings spark fury, defence chiefs move into Maiduguri

The directive was issued by the Head of Service, Dr Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer.

Security operatives, including the anti-bomb squad, cordoned off access roads leading to the State Secretariat and the Bayelsa State Government House while investigations and safety procedures were ongoing.

Authorities said the situation has been fully contained.

In 2024, a bomb explosion killed one child and injured four children in Niger state.

The incident occurred in the Bassa community in Shiroro Local Government Area when the children found the bomb on the ground and went on to play with it.

The bomb exploded, killing the child on the spot and injuring the others.

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Nigeria, Switzerland deepen ties, agree on return of Benin artefacts

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Nigeria and Switzerland have strengthened bilateral relations with renewed commitments on trade, security, immigration and cultural cooperation, alongside concrete steps toward the return of looted Benin artefacts.

The agreement was reached during a high level meeting in Abuja, where Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yusuf Tuggar, hosted Switzerland’s Foreign Minister, Ignazio Cassis.

Speaking after the meeting, Tuggar said the renewed partnership reflects a shared commitment to mutual growth and respect.

“Nigeria and Switzerland enjoy long standing relations, and today’s engagement has opened new pathways for cooperation in trade, security, migration and cultural exchange,” he said.

On the planned return of artefacts, Mr Tuggar described it as a significant step toward justice and cultural restoration.

“The return of Benin artefacts taken during the Benin Expedition of 1897 is not just symbolic but a recognition of our history and identity,” he added.

Also speaking, Cassis reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria across multiple sectors.

The foreign minister said “We are deepening our collaboration with Nigeria, particularly in economic development, security cooperation and migration management,”

Both countries agreed to boost trade and investment by encouraging private sector partnerships, while enhancing cooperation to tackle transnational crimes and promote safe, orderly migration.

The engagement is expected to further strengthen diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Switzerland, while advancing cultural restitution efforts.

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Police IG redeploys AIGs, CPs, See details

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The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered the posting of senior officers to various strategic positions across the Nigeria Police Force as part of efforts to strengthen operational efficiency, enhance leadership capacity and improve service delivery nationwide.

The postings, according to a statement on Tuesday by the  Force spokesman, DCP Anthony Placid, are in line with the police commitment to an effective command structure and strategic deployment of personnel across commands, formations and departments.

Under the new arrangement, he said AIG Ado Emmanuel was posted to Research and Planning, Force Headquarters, Abuja; AIG Joseph Eribo to the Department of Armament; AIG Miller Dantawaye to the Department of Operations; AIG Henry Ifeanyi Uche to the Department of Training and Development; AIG Olanrewaju Peter Ogunlowo to Police Accounts and Budget; while AIG Dahiru Mohammed was deployed to Zone 15, Maiduguri.

“Similarly, AIG Dankombo F. Morris was posted to Zone 4, Makurdi; AIG Bello Shehu to Zone 14, Katsina; AIG Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba to the Department of Legal Services; AIG Ahmed Musa to Community Policing; AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh to Zone 2, Lagos; AIG Simeon U. Akpanudom to FCID Annex, Lagos; and AIG Haruna Olufemi to the Special Protection Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja,” the statement added.

The IG also redeployed several Commissioners of Police to state commands and other formations.

CP Haruna Yahaya was posted to Jigawa State Command; CP Betty  Otimenyin to Welfare, Force Headquarters; CP Olugbenga Abimbola to Oyo State Command; CP Yemi John Oyeniyi to Delta State Command; CP Olubode Ojajuni to Ogun State Command; CP Michael  Falade to Ekiti State Command; and CP Yakubu Dankaro to Adamawa State Command.

Others include CP Muhammed Ahmed to the Federal Capital Territory Command; CP Olatunji  Fatai to Lagos State Command; CP Morkwap  Dongshal to Taraba State Command; CP Ahmed  Bello to Zamfara State Command; CP Umar Fagge to Katsina State Command; and CP Hayatu Shaffa Hassan to Sokoto State Command.

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In further postings, CP Akan Ezima was named Director, NPF-NCCC, Abuja; CP Abbas Sule to the Special Protection Unit; CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue to INTERPOL, Abuja; CP Mnwadiogbu Cletus as Deputy Commandant, POLAC; CP Danjuma I. Yahaya to General Investigation, FCID Annex, Kaduna; CP Sheikh M. Danko to FCID Annex, Lagos; and CP Moses Ashu Otta to SWAT, Abuja.

Additional redeployments include CP Abdulrahim A. Shuaibu to Eastern Ports Authority; CP Sarah Ehindero to Administration, FCID Abuja; CP Edwin Ogbegbghagha to Provost, Force Headquarters; CP Preye R. Egbe to INEC, Abuja; CP Adebisi Bola Lateef to Master Printing, Lagos; CP Bolou O. Etete to Community Policing, Research and Planning; and CP Ojugbele E. Adebola to General Investigation, FCID Alagbon, Lagos.

Also affected are CP Fidelis N. Ogarabe, posted to INTERPOL Annex, Lagos; CP Theodore C. Obasi as Deputy Commandant, Police College, Ikeja; CP Eloho E. Okpoziakpo to Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi; CP Kayode Uthman Magaji to K9, Dei-Dei; CP Markus Ishaku Basiran to Courses, POLAC; CP Mohammed Babakura to Administration, Department of Operations; CP Silas Bamidele Aremu to Safer Highway, Department of Operations; CP Magaji Ismaila to Community Safety and Crime Prevention; and CP Rebecca Uchenna Okereke as Director of Music, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

“Tunji Disu charges the officers to bring their wealth of experience to bear in their respective assignments and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and service in the discharge of their duties,” he said

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Afenifere Diaspora faults APC over security, election concerns

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The Afenifere Diaspora USA has criticised the All Progressives Congress over what it described as worsening insecurity in the country and alleged attempts to weaken Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general election.

The group, in a statement made available to The PUNCH, dated March 20, 2026, warned that the continued escalation of violent attacks across parts of the country could lead to deeper national crises if urgent measures were not taken.

The statement, jointly signed by the Chairman, Prof Sikiru Fadairo, and the Secretary, David Adenekan, stressed that national security remained a constitutional obligation of the government, noting that failure to adequately address the situation could threaten the unity of the country.

The group said, “The current escalation of insecurity across the country is a dangerous trend that may plunge the nation into a sectarian war if not properly managed and nipped in the bud.”

It emphasised that the protection of lives and property remained a core responsibility of the government, as clearly stated in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The section provides that “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

It further referenced provisions contained in Chapter IV, Sections 33 to 46 of the Constitution, which guarantee fundamental human rights, including the rights to life, dignity, personal liberty, and privacy.

Afenifere Diaspora USA also condemned the activities of armed groups operating in parts of the country, alleging that recent attacks in the North-East had resulted in significant casualties and displacement of residents.

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The group said, “The recent violent attacks by terrorist groups degrade the status of Nigeria as a sovereign nation. It was widely reported that in March 2026, militants linked to the Islamic State West African Province launched coordinated attacks in the North-East, overrunning several military formations in Borno State, including communities such as Delwa, Goniri, Kukawa and Mainok.”

It added, “An intolerably high figure of 65 military officers were reportedly killed in the attacks, while about 300 persons were said to have been kidnapped. Are acts of killing people in thousands and sacking those fleeing from their villages not tantamount to genocide or ethnic cleansing?”

The group also questioned what it described as attempts to influence international narratives regarding the security situation in Nigeria, alleging that public funds were used to engage foreign lobbyists.

It stated, “Is the current administration not always quick to change the narrative that the killings in Nigeria are merely ‘normal’ incidents that occur in any society, including the unjustifiable expenditure of a whopping sum of nine million dollars from taxpayers’ funds to hire lobbyists in Washington DC to promote the position that there is no genocide or ethnic cleansing in Nigeria?”

On electoral matters, the group criticised the reported removal of the requirement for a candidate to possess a secondary school certificate as part of the eligibility criteria in the Electoral Act, describing the move as detrimental to democratic development.

The statement read, “The decision by members of the National Assembly to expunge from our electoral law the requirement to possess a secondary school certificate is seen as a political charade capable of undermining democratic values and lowering leadership standards in the country.”

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Citing Section 131 of the 1999 Constitution, the group noted that one of the requirements to contest for the office of the President is that a candidate must be educated to at least secondary school certificate level or its equivalent.

“In a digital age driven by information technology, Nigeria must not slide backwards into the abyss of ignorance where leadership competence is compromised. Leadership capacity and skilled knowledge are critical in managing the affairs of a modern state,” the statement added.

The group also called for mandatory electronic transmission of election results, insisting that credible elections remained vital to strengthening democracy and ensuring good governance.

It said, “Every lover of democracy, including the international community, must support a system that guarantees mandatory electronic transmission of election results in real time without optional conditions.

“A free and fair general election in 2027 is sacrosanct and must not be negotiated if Nigeria is to deepen its hard-won democracy and ensure accountable leadership.”

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