Bayelsa Police Arrest one For Planting Explosives At State Secretariat

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested one Elijah Pentecost for allegedly planting and detonating Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, at the State Secretariat in the early hours of Wednesday, February 11,2026.

The Commissioner of police Iyamah said officers of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit successfully dismantled one unexploded device after an initial detonation occurred without any loss of life, injuries, or property damage.

It is an unusual scene at the Bayelsa State Secretariat as workers were thrown into panic following the explosion of an improvised device within the premises.

Eyewitnesses said the suspect, Elijah Pentecost, gained access into the facility under the guise of mounting a protest banner.

The sound of the explosion drew security operatives to the scene, with the Commissioner of Police leading a response team that arrested the suspect.

Preliminary investigation, according to the Police Commissioner, revealed that the suspect, who hails from Otuan community in Southern Ijaw Local government area of Bayelsa state claimed he carried out the act in an attempt to attract government attention to his medical condition.

The Police said the suspect, also called Natty Congo being his musical stage name, alleged that he had been seeking financial assistance for treatment after suffering severe acid burns in the past.

National Investigator gather that ‘Natty Congo’ was bathed acid some years ago while living in Lagos and became physically deformed .He has been seeking financial help from successive Bayelsa state governments.

Meanwhile, the Police Command has directed workers to temporarily vacate the Secretariat to enable security operatives conduct a comprehensive sweep of the premises.