An explosion erupted Wednesday evening at a Nigerian army ammunition depot in Maiduguri, the capital of northeastern Borno state, following a period of intense heat, according to military officials.
The blast occurred within the Giwa barracks, a key military installation in the region. Authorities have not yet confirmed the extent of the damage, but the situation has reportedly been contained.
Army spokesperson Captain Reuben Kovangiya dismissed speculation that the explosion was caused by an attack, urging the public to disregard such claims. “The general public is therefore urged to please discountenance any speculation of an attack,” he said in an official statement.
Borno state has been a hotspot for militant activity by terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and its offshoot, ISWAP. However, the army emphasized that this particular incident was not linked to insurgent violence.
Security forces have been deployed across Maiduguri to prevent criminal activity in the aftermath of the blast, amid concerns that opportunists could exploit the situation.
The incident comes as Borno’s Governor recently warned of a renewed surge in attacks and abductions by Boko Haram, threatening the progress previously made by security operations in the region.