An explosion has occurred at Giwa Barracks, a well-known military detention center in Maiduguri, Borno State, where numerous former Boko Haram fighters are reportedly held.
Videos circulating on social media display flames lighting up the sky, with residents near the barracks seen fleeing for safety.
However, officials have linked the blast to extreme heat, rejecting speculation that terrorists were involved.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, clarified that the explosion at the ammunition depot within Giwa Barracks was triggered by high temperatures in the area.
“At approximately 23:30 hours on April 30, 2025, a significant explosion occurred at one of our ammunition storage facilities situated within Giwa Barracks. This incident caused widespread panic among the local populace. 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.
The military added that the fire was quickly contained thanks to the combined efforts of military and civilian firefighting units, including the Federal Fire Service, the Borno State Fire Service Department, and emergency response teams from various security agencies. Residents near the scene were moved to safety.
The statement also noted that aerial surveillance was carried out by the Air Component, Operation HADIN KAI and the Nigerian Army Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command to assess the scale of the incident and support rescue operations. Troops from Operation HADIN KAI were also deployed to maintain order and prevent criminals from taking advantage of the situation.
This incident unfolds as attacks by Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have seen a resurgence.