MAIDUGURI — In the wake of Wednesday night’s explosions at the Giwa Barracks armoury, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has issued a strong warning to residents of Maiduguri and surrounding areas to avoid picking up unidentified fragments or suspicious items, which may be unexploded ordnance.
The late-night blasts, which occurred around 11:30 p.m., sent shockwaves through several communities including Jiddari Polo and Fori, triggering widespread panic as loud explosions and flames lit up the night sky. The military later attributed the incident to extreme heat conditions, which were believed to have ignited the stored explosives.
During a press briefing after inspecting the affected site, General Abubakar emphasized the danger of interacting with debris from the scene.
“Some of the fragments scattered by the blasts may look harmless, but they can be highly dangerous. We urge the public to report any unusual items to security personnel immediately,” he cautioned.
General Abubakar, who visited the location with senior officers including Lt. Col. N. Dalha of the 73 Battalion and Colonel Ahmad of the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC), confirmed that the armoury was completely destroyed by the fire. He noted that despite the prompt efforts of military personnel and fire service teams at both federal and state levels, the inferno had already caused significant damage.
Commending the bravery of the troops and the quick intervention by emergency responders, the Commander said their swift action helped contain the situation and averted further destruction.
He reassured the public that the situation is under control and urged residents to remain vigilant but calm.
“There is no cause for alarm. We are taking all necessary steps to secure the area and protect civilians from potential harm,” he affirmed.
