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

Kwara, Katsina Bloodshed: TMC Condemns Attacks, Dismisses ‘Jihadist Preacher’ Claims

The national headquarters of The Muslim Congress (TMC) has strongly condemned the recent coordinated attacks in Kwara State and Katsina State that left more than 200 people dead, describing the incidents as a troubling sign of the growing normalisation of mass killings in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Amir, AbdulWasi’i Bangbala, the organisation said the scale and brutality of the attacks represent a dangerous escalation of insecurity across parts of the country.

According to reports, the worst of the attacks occurred in Woro community, Kwara State, where at least 170 people were reportedly killed in what TMC described as a methodical and coordinated assault that virtually wiped out the community. Homes and properties were destroyed, leaving survivors traumatised and displaced. In a related attack in Katsina State, no fewer than 21 residents were killed inside their homes, further compounding fears over worsening security challenges in northern Nigeria. TMC stressed that the victims were not mere statistics but families, breadwinners and entire communities whose futures were violently cut short.

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The group acknowledged and commended President Bola Tinubu for his swift condemnation of the attacks and the immediate deployment of an army battalion to the affected areas. Bangbala noted that the response aligns with the administration’s broader national security measures, including intensified security operations and increased police recruitment aimed at stabilising troubled regions. However, he emphasised that the magnitude of the killings demands more than reactive interventions.

TMC called for a strengthened national security architecture, urging the federal government to prioritise improved intelligence gathering, faster emergency response mechanisms, clear performance benchmarks for security agencies and enhanced protection for vulnerable rural communities. The organisation maintained that repeated cycles of violence require proactive and systemic reforms rather than periodic condemnations.

The organisation also rejected claims portraying the attackers as “jihadist preachers,” describing the Kwara incident as a calculated act of terrorism rather than a religious mission. Bangbala argued that the military-style coordination of the assault, the siege of the village and prior alerts reportedly sent to security agencies point to a premeditated massacre. According to him, the narrative of “preaching” appears to have been used as a cover for violence against civilians.

TMC further expressed concern over what it described as a muted response to the killings from sections of the international community, parts of the mainstream media and some religious organisations. The group said the limited global attention contrasts sharply with reactions to similar tragedies elsewhere, raising questions about selective outrage and unequal valuation of human lives.

Describing repeated calls for government action as “exhausting and heartbreaking,” TMC stated that Nigerians deserve sustained and effective protection rather than periodic condolences after mass killings. The organisation urged citizens to unite against insecurity, stressing that violence threatens all Nigerians regardless of religion, ethnicity or background.

Bangbala called on the federal government to treat the Kwara and Katsina killings as a decisive turning point by adopting a comprehensive strategy that tackles not only violent extremism but also its root causes, including poverty, limited access to education and systemic injustice. He concluded that only a holistic and sustained approach can guarantee lasting peace and prevent further loss of lives in Nigeria.

Kwara, Katsina Bloodshed: TMC Condemns Attacks, Dismisses ‘Jihadist Preacher’ Claims