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Bomb explosion rocks Bayelsa secretariat

Published

4 weeks ago

February 11, 2026

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.

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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News

Ex-military chief gives reasons bandits kidnap people

Published

16 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Former Field Commander of Operation Safe Haven, OPSH, Maj. Gen. Anthony Atolagbe, rtd, says bandits kidnap people to use them as human shields from the military.

General Atolagbe made this revelation on Tuesday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

He was speaking about the rising insecurity confronting the country.

“The bandits have a pattern of taking people into their enclave, just to use them as sex slaves, but also as shields for negotiation.

“What I can say also is that I will not be able to dwell on specifics. But in Sambisa, some abducted people were freed. In fact, the first thing that happened was that over 100 of them escaped, based on the heat that was brought on the adversary.

“Now, what is playing out is that these guys are being dislodged, and when they are dislodged, and they lose contact with all these women and these men that are running, who are sex slaves and liberals for them within the theater or wherever they are in their enclaves, what happens is that they try to move to other locations where they think they will be safe.

“And the next thing is to start looking for who they can also grab and bring into their new locations.

“The other side is that it is also another strategy by those that are expecting the arrival of the military that are coming into their enclaves to come and chase them out by using some of these people as human shields when the military approach their location.

“So you see that the analysis has brought it out that they have a pattern that they always want to take people into their enclave, not just to use them as slaves or whatever, but they will also want to use them to negotiate,” the retired military officer said.

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News

War: Federal govt begins evacuation of Nigerians from Iran

Published

16 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Federal Government has commenced the evacuation of Nigerians who wish to leave Iran, escorting them across the Armenian border to ensure their safety as tension continues to escalate in the Middle East.

The development was disclosed on Tuesday by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in a post shared on her X handle.

According to her, officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran are coordinating the evacuation process and assisting Nigerians willing to depart the country.

The evacuees are being escorted to the Armenian border where arrangements have been made to facilitate their safe passage.

The evacuation comes amid growing concerns over the security situation in the region following a series of coordinated military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel on February 28.

The strikes reportedly triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks across parts of the Middle East, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

Despite the rising tension, Dabiri-Erewa reassured that no Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the ongoing hostilities.

She also noted that embassy officials remain stationed at the border to receive and assist Nigerians who decide to leave the country.

“Willing Nigerians being escorted across the Armenian border by officials of the Nigerian embassy in Iran for safe passage. No Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the war as officials remain at the border to receive all who want to leave,” she wrote.

This comes due to the ongoing military strikes between U.S, Israel and Iran.

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News

Insurgency: FG knows every terrorist by name, says Gumi

Published

17 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Kaduna-based Islamic scholar Sheikh Abubakar Gumi has stirred debate by claiming that the Nigerian government already knows the identities and hideouts of terrorists across the country. Speaking in a recent DRTV interview, he said his interactions with armed groups are coordinated closely with security agencies.

Gumi addressed rumours that he negotiates with bandits on his own, stressing the involvement of police, military, and other officials. “The government knows every terrorist by name and by location. I don’t go alone to negotiate I go with the police, military, and other security agencies,” he said.

The cleric revealed that some of his efforts take him deep into forests and remote communities, sometimes even accompanied by local women. “I would go to the Emirs. In fact, when we went to one forest, I even went with women into the bush,” he added.

Gumi has long advocated dialogue as a tool to reduce violence, often sparking controversy for interacting with groups considered enemies of the state. He argued that these efforts complement security operations rather than replace them, highlighting the importance of negotiation alongside law enforcement.

Observers note that Gumi’s approach underscores the complexity of addressing Nigeria’s insecurity, where military action alone may not suffice. His collaboration with traditional leaders and security agencies demonstrates a hybrid strategy aimed at curbing violence and encouraging disarmament.

Despite these efforts, insecurity remains high in several northern states, prompting debate on whether dialogue initiatives have tangible results. Critics argue that without accountability and transparency, negotiations could inadvertently legitimise armed groups.

Gumi’s statements have reignited national conversations on counterterrorism strategies, with many Nigerians discussing the balance between dialogue, intelligence gathering, and military action. His insights suggest that tackling terrorism in Nigeria may require innovative approaches that merge community engagement with formal security measures.

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