Maiduguri, Borno State — May 1, 2025
Panic gripped the city of Maiduguri in the early hours of Wednesday as multiple deafening explosions shattered the midnight silence, sending residents fleeing in terror and rekindling fears of renewed insurgent activity in Nigeria’s restive northeast.
The blasts, believed to be bomb explosions, reportedly originated near the Giwa Barracks—an area heavily fortified by the military. Eyewitnesses said the explosions began just after midnight, lighting up the night sky and causing tremors that were felt miles away.
“I was jolted from sleep by the first blast. It was so loud that the walls shook. People were running in all directions, screaming and calling loved ones,” said Musa Ibrahim, a resident of the nearby Bolori area.
Though official confirmation is still pending, initial reports suggest the explosions may have stemmed from a fire at the Giwa Barracks armory—raising concerns over the storage and safety protocols of military-grade weapons in a conflict-prone zone.
However, with the city’s history of Boko Haram insurgency, many residents fear the worst. Some have speculated that the incident could be a coordinated attack by the extremist group, which has targeted military facilities in the past.
Security operatives have since cordoned off the affected areas, and emergency response teams are reportedly on high alert. Authorities are yet to release an official statement regarding casualties or the exact cause of the explosions.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tension across the region, where relative calm in recent months had offered a glimmer of hope for weary residents. Wednesday’s explosions, however, have reignited deep anxieties and underscored the fragility of peace in Borno State.
More details are expected as investigations continue.
PIONEER NEWS 