Panic as explosion rocks army barracks in Borno

An explosion has rocked Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri the capital of Borno State.

Videos on social media showed flames in the sky, while the people residing near the barracks scampered for safety.

The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, confirmed the incident via a statement issued on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

Abubakar said the explosion which occurred at an ammunition storage facility in Giwa Barracks at about 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, was caused by extreme heat conditions in the area.

Abubakar stated: “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.

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“Fortunately, the situation was swiftly brought under control through the collaborative efforts of military firefighters, the Federal Fire Service and the Borno State Fire Service Department, and various firefighting vehicles from security agencies.

“Civilians in the immediate vicinity were also relocated to prevent any harm to the public.

“Furthermore, the Air Component, Operation HADIN KAI, and the Nigerian Army Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command conducted aerial surveillance over the incident scene and the surrounding areas of Maiduguri Metropolis. This allowed them to determine the extent of the explosion and guide rescue efforts.

“Additionally, troops from Operation HADIN KAI were strategically deployed to prevent any potential misuse of the situation by criminals and to safeguard law-abiding citizens.”

The Star