Suspected IED Explosion Rocks Bayelsa Secretariat, Police Arrest Suspect

A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) detonated early Wednesday at the Bayelsa State Secretariat Complex in Yenagoa, prompting an emergency response from security agencies and temporarily disrupting official government activities. Authorities have assured the public that the situation is under control, with no casualties and no property damage reported.

The Bayelsa State Police Command, led by Commissioner CP Iyamah Daniel, confirmed the incident, stating that the explosion occurred at approximately 6:00 a.m. Security operatives, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, the Special Drone Unit, and other tactical teams, were immediately deployed to the scene to contain the situation.

Upon arrival, police cordoned off the area and conducted a detailed search, during which they discovered another unexploded device, which was safely neutralised by EOD personnel. The swift response ensured that the Secretariat and nearby facilities were secured without further incident.

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Police also arrested a suspect, identified as Pentecost Elijah, a 60-year-old man from Otuan Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. He is currently undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department, and authorities stated he will be charged in court once investigations are concluded.

In response to the explosion, the Bayelsa State Government ordered a temporary four-hour closure of the Secretariat, affecting over 6,000 state employees. The directive, issued by the Head of Service, Dr Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer, allowed security agencies to complete safety checks and restore normalcy.

Access roads leading to the State Secretariat and Bayelsa State Government House were cordoned off during the security operation, while officers urged residents to remain calm and vigilant. Authorities also called on the public to report any suspicious activities to the police to prevent further threats.

The incident has raised concerns over the security of government institutions in Nigeria and highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness, bomb detection, and rapid response operations. Residents have been assured that normal operations have resumed and that the security of the secretariat and its staff remains a top priority.

Suspected IED Explosion Rocks Bayelsa Secretariat, Police Arrest Suspect

Electricity Workers Serve 21-Day Nationwide Strike Notice to FG

Electricity workers under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have issued a 21-day nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government (FG), warning of potential disruption to power generation and distribution if longstanding labour grievances are not addressed. The union cited anti-labour practices, wage violations, unpaid pensions and taxes, and worsening job insecurity across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) as the basis for their action.

In a letter dated January 26, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Power, NUEE’s Acting General Secretary, Igwebike Dominic, lamented that repeated attempts to resolve precarious working conditions in power generating companies (Gencos) and distribution companies (Discos) since the privatisation of the sector over 12 years ago have been largely ignored. The union emphasised that previous communications to the ministry failed to elicit meaningful responses.

The union accused sector employers of refusing to negotiate or implement collective agreements and conditions of service, particularly in Gencos. They also highlighted the failure to implement the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act and consequential adjustments for electricity workers. According to NUEE, the sector remains plagued by managements that disregard procedural agreements and workers’ statutory rights.

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Workers further decried restrictions on union activities, claiming that employers deny employees the constitutional right to unionise. The union said that deducted union dues, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes, and pension contributions have not been remitted for prolonged periods, in some cases stretching to 82 months in Discos including those in Kaduna and Kano states.

NUEE also raised concerns about the “militarisation” of workplaces, alleging harassment, intimidation, and threats against employees by managements of companies such as Ikeja Electric and Egbin Power Plc. They stressed that despite repeated electricity tariff hikes and increased revenues, workers’ welfare has stagnated, with no promotions, salary increments, or bonuses, while frontline staff often bear the brunt of customer frustrations.

The union also accused investors in the sector of failing to fulfil post-privatisation promises, including capital injection, metering, network expansion, and improved power supply, citing these as evidence of the privatisation exercise’s shortcomings.

NUEE has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene by convening all stakeholders to resolve the crisis. The union warned that continued neglect would leave workers with no choice but to take “legitimate labour action” to defend their rights. “We demand the immediate resolution of all these anti-labour issues within twenty-one days of the receipt of this letter. Otherwise, we will not be constrained to take our fate into our hands by employing any legitimate labour weapon suitable for the situation. This is not a threat,” the statement said.

The notice signals rising tensions in the Nigerian power sector, with potential nationwide consequences if negotiations fail. Observers say any prolonged strike could significantly affect households, businesses, government institutions, and the overall economy, highlighting the urgent need for intervention to avert a power supply crisis.

Electricity Workers Serve 21-Day Nationwide Strike Notice to FG

NAPTIP Cracks Down on Traffickers as 23 Nigerians Return from Thailand

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued and repatriated 23 Nigerian youths trafficked to Thailand, exposing what authorities describe as a disturbing new dimension of human trafficking linked to forced cybercrime operations in Southeast Asia.

The development was disclosed in Abuja by the agency’s Head of Press and Public Relations Unit, Vincent Adekoye, who said the operation was carried out in collaboration with Eden (Myanmar), the British Government, civil society partners in South Asia, and the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok.

According to NAPTIP, the victims were lured abroad with false promises of scholarships and lucrative employment opportunities, only to be trafficked to countries including Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. Upon arrival, they were allegedly forced into cyber-enabled crimes such as romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and investment scams, targeting individuals and organisations in the United States, United Kingdom, Ethiopia, and Canada.

The agency revealed that the returnees have already arrived in Nigeria and are currently undergoing profiling, medical screening, and psychosocial support as part of their rehabilitation and reintegration process.

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NAPTIP Director-General, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, described the trend as a dangerous shift in trafficking tactics, noting that traffickers now target young Nigerians with computer and IT skills, particularly those perceived as disciplined and focused. She said victims were promised scholarships or technology-based jobs abroad but were instead trained to execute online fraud schemes while being closely monitored in confined facilities.

Adamu-Bello further raised alarm over disturbing allegations made by some of the victims during interrogation. She disclosed that individuals who resisted participating in the fraudulent activities were reportedly subjected to severe punishment. Some were allegedly confined in a facility described as a “dark room,” while there were claims that others were killed or had their organs harvested — particularly younger victims with no history of smoking.

Describing the situation as a troubling evolution of transnational organised crime, the NAPTIP boss reiterated her earlier warning that traffickers would face tougher consequences. She pledged improved intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency cooperation, and enhanced international partnerships to dismantle the syndicates behind the operations.

She also commended the role played by the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok, which facilitated the repatriation process, including the issuance of Emergency Travel Certificates (ETCs) for affected victims.

The latest rescue underscores growing concerns about Nigerian youths being trafficked to Southeast Asia for forced involvement in online scams. Authorities have repeatedly warned that criminal networks exploit unemployment and economic vulnerability to lure young Nigerians abroad under deceptive recruitment schemes.

NAPTIP urged Nigerians, especially job seekers, to verify overseas employment offers through appropriate government channels and report suspicious activities to the agency. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens from human trafficking, cyber exploitation, and other forms of organised international crime.

NAPTIP Cracks Down on Traffickers as 23 Nigerians Return from Thailand