The residents of Maiduguri and its environs were rattled when several bomb explosions ranged through the city, on Wednesday night, from the Giwa Military Barracks’ armory.
Some residents said the deafening explosions began at about 11:35 pm on Wednesday and lasted for more than two hours on Thursday morning, followed by large balls of flames visible in the direction of the Giwa Barracks.
A senior military officer told BusinessDay correspondent that a fire outbreak around the armoury section of the barracks led to explosions.
“We are trying to safeguard the general area but it was not an attack, rather some section of the barracks caught fire resulting to the bomb explosion,” he said.
An eyewitness Bunu Bukar said that firefighters had to clear the area due to the continuous explosions.
“Thousands of residents in the vicinity of the barracks are fleeing their homes as they were rattled by deafening explosion sounds,” Bukar said.
Danjuma Salisu, a resident of the state assembly quarter, said residents of the neighbourhood ran away from their homes.
“We all left home, we ran to Tashan Bama but when we got there, people from other places were there already. The explosions were terrible and alarming,” he said.
Confirming the development, the state deputy governor in a message said following multiple explosions that caused panic amongst residents of Maiduguri metropolis, the Deputy Governor Borno State, Dr. Umar Usman Kadafur, has called for patience as the explosions were a result of a fire incident that erupted at an Armoury of Giwa Barracks, contrary to reports of Boko Haram attacks.
He enjoined all and sundry to remain indoors, as security operatives are on top of the situation.
“This is to inform the public that on Wednesday, 30 April 2025, at 10.30 pm, there was a report of a fire outbreak at Giwa Barracks Maiduguri. The fire incident affected the ammunition facility within the barrack, and some munitions exploded, causing loud bangs,” Usman said in the notice.
“A combined team of first responders from the Nigerian Army Fire Service, Federal Fire Service and Borno State Fire Service have duly reported at the scene and successfully put out the fire.
“However, there may be secondary explosions which may disturb the neighbourhood around the barracks. Members of the public should not panic on hearing loud bangs.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the intense heat in Maiduguri around this time of the year may have triggered or conflagrated the fire. However, the combined team of firefighters are on top of the situation.”
Meanwhile, Reuben Kovangiya, Captain Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI, said in a statement that the explosion was due to the current high temperatures in Maiduguri which led to the explosion of some munitions.
“The situation has, however, been brought under control with the combined efforts of the Borno State Fire Service Department and other fire trucks from security agencies. Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have been deployed to protect the public and prevent miscreants from taking advantage of the situation,” Kovangiya said.
“The general public is therefore urged to please discountenance any speculation of an attack within the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and remain calm.”