Breaking: Explosion hits Maiduguri barracks

An explosion shook the Giwa military barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State, late Wednesday night, sparking panic among residents and speculation on social media.

However, military sources have swiftly moved to debunk rumours that the incident was the result of a terrorist attack.

According to a report by counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, the Nigerian Military High Command confirmed the explosion but clarified that it was an isolated incident caused by extreme heat within the base’s armoury.

Makama, citing top military officials in Borno, revealed that the explosion was triggered by a heat-induced chemical reaction in a section of the armoury, which resulted in a massive fire.

“What occurred was an isolated incident triggered by excessive heat, which caused an explosion within the armoury,” Makama quoted the military as saying in a blog post published in the early hours of Thursday, May 1, 2025.

The military emphasized that contrary to online speculation, there was no attack on the facility. They urged the public to ignore false reports that could incite fear and panic.

“All military facilities in Maiduguri remain secure and routine operations are ongoing without disruption,” the source said.

Security operatives have since contained the situation, with troops maintaining full alertness across all installations.

“There is no cause for alarm. Our troops are fully alert and in control of the situation,” the military assured.

The clarification comes amid heightened tensions in the region, where residents are often on edge due to the history of insurgent attacks.