A wave of panic swept across Bayelsa State on Saturday after two explosives were detonated by unknown persons at strategic places in the capital city of Yenagoa.
The explosives went off about 11pm, Friday, shortly after coordinated multiple bomb blasts rocked the ancient city of Kano in the northern part of the country.
While many people were reported dead and others seriously injured in the Kano attacks which were executed by the dreaded Boko Haram sect, no casualty was recorded in the Bayelsa incidents.
Our correspondent gathered that the first explosion occurred at Tombia area of Yenagoa when some persons attempted to blow up an iron bridge.
The bridge popularly known as colonial bridge links the Niger Delta University, Amasoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area to the state capital.
Amasoma is the hometown of the former Governor of the state, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
A source in the area said the bridge was the target of the attack.
The source who pleaded anonymity said, “Some unknown persons failed in their attempt to blow up an iron bridge at Tombia. The bomb exploded from under the bridge. It was a blast that shook the entire area but the bridge failed to cave in”.
The explosion shattered windshields of vehicles parked around the area and sent people running to different directions for safety.
Our correspondent observed that one of the iron sheets at one end of the bridge was yanked off by the explosion.
Policemen and armed soldiers were seen cordoning off the affected part and forcing motorists to ply one lane of the bridge.
The second explosion went off almost the same time at the Peace Park, opposite the Government House.
After the blast, a car parked around the area went up in flames.
Though no group has taken responsibility for the incidents, there were fears that the blasts might have opened the violent chapter of the political crisis in the state.
The state has been torn apart by political struggles orchestrated by the Peoples Democratic Party in a build-up to the February 11 governorship election.
Commenting on the explosions, the Joint Task Force, codenamed, Operation Pulo Shield, confirmed the incidents and said investigations were ongoing to apprehend the culprits.
The Media Coordinator, JTF, Lt. Col. Timothy Antigha, said, “The JTF confirms that there were dynamite explosions in certain parts of Yenagoa city. However, there was no casualty. The JTF is collaborating with other security agencies in the ongoing investigations into the matter.”
Reacting to the development, the state Governor, Timipre Sylva, condemned attempts by disgruntled elements to return the state to the dark days of insecurity.
Sylva in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Doifie Ola, said it was sad the explosions occurred in the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan at a time the country was faced with security challenges.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hillary Opara, also said, “We heard it last night. I think someone was trying to be funny by destroying the bridge with dynamite but he did not succeed. This has nothing to do with the Boko Haram in the North.”
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