The Borno State Police Command has encouraged residents of Maiduguri, the state capital, to remain calm following Wednesday night’s explosion at Giwa Barracks.
It clarified that the incident was a “friendly-fire” incident rather than an enemy attack.
According to the command’s spokesperson, Nahum Daso, preliminary investigations revealed that the explosions originated in the barracks’ armoury.
The statement partly reads, “Following reports received of explosions heard in Maiduguri, preliminary investigations indicate that the detonation originated from a friendly-fire incident at Giwa Barracks armoury.
“No enemy attack recorded, and the security situation remains firmly under control.”
The police spokesman, however, stated that security officers, EOD experts, and the fire department are currently on the scene attempting to extinguish the consequent fire.
“We call on members of the public to remain calm, as the situation is under control.
“Further details and updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Borno State Government has stated that the fire outbreak that led to the explosion of the armoury in the barracks may have been caused by the state’s excessive heat.
According to an earlier statement from the state’s Directorate of Fire Service, Ministry of Information and Internal Security, the fire has been extinguished.
The police statement read, “The fire incident affected the ammunition facility within the barracks, and some munitions have exploded, causing loud bangs.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the intense heat in Maiduguri around this time of the year may have triggered or conflagrated the fire.
“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.”
