An explosion occurred late Wednesday night at the Giwa military barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State, causing panic among residents and online speculation about a possible attack.
However, the Nigerian military has dismissed those rumours, saying the blast was not caused by an external attack but by extreme heat inside the armoury.
Military sources told journalists early Thursday, May 1, 2025, that the incident was an isolated case of a heat-triggered reaction within a section of the base’s armoury, which led to a fire and explosion.
“What occurred was an isolated incident triggered by excessive heat, which caused an explosion within the armoury,” a senior officer was quoted as saying.
The military urged the public to ignore false reports and avoid spreading fear. “There is no cause for alarm. Our troops are fully alert and in control of the situation,” the source added.
Authorities confirmed that no lives were lost, and there was no threat to other parts of the barracks. They also assured that military operations in Maiduguri and surrounding areas are continuing as normal.
The Giwa barracks has been a key military base in Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram and other insurgent groups in the North-East. This latest incident, though alarming, appears to be unrelated to the ongoing security challenges in the region.
