A fire incident that broke out Sunday night at the Maiduguri Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MaSCC) was caused by a convicted terrorist, Charles Okah, according to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCos). Authorities have ruled out any bomb explosion or external attack on the prison, blaming the blaze on a deliberate act by Okah in his cell.
Charles Okah, who is serving a life sentence for his involvement in the deadly 2010 Independence Day bombing in Abuja and another attack in Warri, Delta State, was accused of setting fire to his mattress using a box of matches. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on April 20.
Eyewitnesses and prison officials say Okah started shouting that there was a fire in his cell shortly after igniting the mattress. “He lit up his bed and immediately began shouting from the window that there was a fire,” an official said. “When officers arrived, we found the mattress burning and quickly extinguished the fire.”
Authorities say there was no significant damage to the cell or other parts of the prison. A box of matches was later recovered from Okah’s cell during a search. He was taken to the prison clinic for medical attention and is reportedly in stable condition. The burnt mattress has already been replaced.
Contrary to social media reports and rumors of a bomb blast, intelligence sources have confirmed that no explosive devices were found, and no external force or attack took place.
“There is no evidence of any explosive device, and there was no external breach or attack on the facility,” a senior official with the prison stated. “If there had been a bomb blast in Okah’s cell, how come nothing happened to him? He is still the one screaming that there was a fire in his cell.”
Charles Okah is the younger brother of Henry Okah, leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for planning and executing the 2010 bombings in Abuja and Warri.
On October 1, 2010, during Nigeria’s 50th Independence Day celebration, twin car bombs exploded near Eagle Square in Abuja, killing at least 12 people and injuring many others. Earlier that year, on March 15, another bombing took place in Warri during a post-amnesty dialogue, killing and injuring several.
Charles Okah had long maintained his innocence, but after a prolonged trial, the court found him guilty and sentenced him in 2018. He was previously held in Kuje prison, Abuja, before being transferred to Maiduguri on March 16, 2025.
Following the fire, authorities acted swiftly to prevent panic within the prison. They emphasized that all security protocols were followed and dismissed claims that correctional officers on night duty were absent at the time of the incident.
“All personnel were at their posts and responded immediately to the alarm,” an official confirmed. “The fire was contained within minutes, and no other inmate was put at risk.”
Inquiries about how the convicted terrorist managed to access matches revealed that Okah had attended a church service earlier in the day as part of Easter celebrations. Officials believe he may have obtained the matches during this outing, though they did not elaborate on whether this lapse would lead to disciplinary measures.
Prison authorities described Okah as a difficult inmate who is known for stirring up trouble. “He has always been a controversial inmate. He creates problems and causes panic. This is not his first time trying to disrupt the prison environment,” an official stated.
While the motive behind Sunday night’s incident is still under investigation, prison authorities believe Okah may have intended to create fear and confusion among prison staff and other inmates.
The fire incident quickly sparked speculation on social media, with some users claiming it was caused by a bomb blast and suggesting a possible prison break attempt. Others questioned the safety of housing high-profile inmates like Okah in a facility like MaSCC.
To counter these rumors, NCos issued a statement reassuring the public that the situation is under control. “There is no cause for alarm. The facility remains secure, and there was no external attack,” the statement read.
The Maiduguri Maximum Security Custodial Centre is one of the newer facilities designed to hold high-risk and high-profile inmates, especially those involved in terrorism-related crimes. Located in the capital of Borno State, it has recently received several transfers from other parts of the country due to rising insecurity in the North Central region.
Charles Okah was moved there from Kuje Prison after intelligence reports indicated a potential escape risk and increasing concerns over prison safety following the 2022 Kuje prison break carried out by suspected terrorists.
