An explosion occurred at Giwa Barracks, a major military facility in Maiduguri, Borno State, sparking panic across the city as flames lit up the night sky. The barracks is known to house former Boko Haram fighters and detainees linked to insurgent activities.
Social media videos showed residents near the facility fleeing in fear, fueling speculation of a terrorist attack. However, military authorities have dismissed such claims, attributing the blast to extreme weather conditions.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, confirmed the explosion occurred at an ammunition storage facility within the barracks around 11:30 p.m. on April 30, 2025.
“The explosion was due to the intense heat currently prevailing in Borno and other regions of the country, which had a direct impact on the storage facility,” the statement read.
Abubakar said the situation was quickly contained through the coordinated efforts of military firefighters, the Federal Fire Service, and the Borno State Fire Service. Firefighting vehicles from other security agencies were also deployed, and nearby civilians were promptly evacuated to ensure public safety.
In response to the blast, aerial surveillance was carried out by the Nigerian Army’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command and the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai to assess the extent of the damage and guide rescue and containment efforts. Troops were also deployed across Maiduguri to deter any opportunistic criminal activity and maintain order.
The incident comes amid renewed concerns over the resurgence of attacks by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), prompting increased security vigilance in the region.
