Authorities have urged calm after a loud explosion rocked Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State, late Wednesday evening, inflicting worry and confusion throughout the town.
The heavy blast, which occurred round 10:30 PM, was adopted by pink flashes within the sky, forcing residents of Polo, Fori, GRA, the College of Maiduguri space, and different elements of the town to flee their houses, fearing a doable Boko Haram assault.
Nevertheless, the Borno State Police Command later clarified that the explosion was not attributable to any terrorist exercise however resulted from a hearth outbreak contained in the barracks.
“On 30 April 2025 at 10:30 PM, a hearth broke out within the ammunition facility at Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri. The hearth incident affected some munitions to detonate, leading to loud bangs,” police spokesperson ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso mentioned.
He mentioned a mixed staff of safety forces and firefighters responded instantly and efficiently put out the hearth.
“Preliminary investigations indicated that the unusually excessive ambient temperatures in Maiduguri presently of 12 months might have contributed to the outbreak,” he added.
“The command calls on all members of the general public to stay calm and shouldn’t panic because the scenario is now totally beneath management,” ASP Daso assured.
The Borno State Hearth Service additionally confirmed that firefighters from the Nigerian Military, Federal Hearth Service, and the state hearth staff labored collectively to cease the hearth.
“Nevertheless, there could also be secondary explosions which can disturb the neighbourhood across the barracks. Members of the general public shouldn’t panic on listening to loud bangs,” the hearth service warned.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the extreme warmth in Maiduguri round this time of the 12 months might have triggered or conflagrated the hearth. Nevertheless, the mixed staff of firefighters are on high of the scenario,” the assertion added.