An explosion has rocked Giwa Barracks, a military detention facility in Maiduguri, Borno State, where many former Boko Haram fighters are held. Videos shared on social media showed flames lighting up the sky, prompting residents near the barracks to flee for safety.
Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, confirmed the blast occurred around 11:30pm on 30 April at an ammunition storage facility within the barracks. He attributed the explosion to extreme heat conditions in the region and dismissed speculation of a terrorist attack.
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Firefighters from the military, Federal Fire Service, and Borno State Fire Service quickly contained the blaze, while civilians nearby were evacuated to safety. Aerial surveillance was deployed to assess the scene and troops were stationed to secure the area and prevent criminal exploitation of the situation.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns following renewed attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the region.
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