On Wednesday night, a series of explosions at the Giwa Barracks armoury in Maiduguri prompted a stern warning from Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai. The explosions at around 11:30 p.m. resulted in widespread panic, sending residents fleeing from their homes. The military attributed the incident to extreme heat triggering the explosions.
In the aftermath, Major General Abubakar urged residents in the affected areas, particularly in Jiddari Polo, Fori, and nearby communities, to avoid handling any unknown fragments or objects they may come across. The explosion scattered debris and unexploded ordnances, which could be dangerous.
On Thursday, Major General Abubakar visited the site with senior military officials, including Lt. Col. N. Dalha, the Commanding Officer of the 73 Battalion, and Colonel Ahmad, Commander of the Joint Investigation Centre. He praised the quick response of the military and fire services, which helped control the fire that had ravaged the armoury.
Despite the destruction, Major General Abubakar assured the public that the situation was under control and emphasized no need to panic. He also encouraged residents to remain alert and report suspicious items or activities to the authorities. Security concerns can be reported through the emergency number 09026959597 or to the nearest security personnel.
