Maiduguri Barracks Explosion: Residents Thrown Into Pandemonium

Maiduguri barracks explosion: residents thrown into pandemonium

— no cause for alarm –military assured

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri

Residents of Maiduguri, the Bormo state capital were on Wednesday night thrown into pandemonium and confusion as a result of multiple explosions which rocked an armoury at Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri.

A loud sounds of explosions and gunshot were heard at about 11:30pm Wednesday night which thrown residents in panic, especially those residing around Giwa barracks area, Fori Galtimari among other areas of the metropolis.
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Addressing newsmen on the incident at the theatre headquarters, Maimalari cantonment, Maiduguri on Thursday, the Theatre Commander North East ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has said that there is no cause for alarm as the situation has been put under control..

“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 theatre Commander said.

General Abubakar said” Fortunately, the situation was swiftly brought under control through the collaborative efforts of military fire fighters, the Federal Fire Service and the Borno State Fire Service Department and various fire-fighting vehicles from security agencies. Civilians in the immediate vicinity were also relocated to prevent any harm to the public. “.

He said that no lives were lost nor injuries and assured that the . Operation HADIN KAI remains a people centric operation with the primary focus of protecting the lives and property of all citizens citizens..

“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.”, he added.

The theatre Commander further explained that” the Chief Executive Officer of the State was immediately informed and all established protocols in emergencies like this strictly adhered to. Going forward, we would be conducting a comprehensive review of all storage facilities to mitigate the effect of the current high temperature being experienced”.

Also, the Borno bstate Deputy, Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur who visited the scene early morning assured the resident that there is no cause for alarm, as the military has brought the incident under control.

He also urged the law abiding resident to go about with their normal business.