The Nigerian Army on Thursday confirmed that the explosion at an ammunition storage facility in Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri, was caused by extreme heat conditions in the area.
In a statement on Thursday signed by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, the Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI clarified that the explosion was not the result of any attack but rather a reaction to the current high temperatures affecting munitions stored in the facility.
“The explosion was due to the current high temperatures in Maiduguri, which led to the explosion of some munitions,” Kovangiya said.
He added that the situation had been promptly brought under control through a coordinated response involving the Borno State Fire Service Department and other emergency units from security agencies.
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have been deployed to protect the public and prevent miscreants from taking advantage of the situation,” the statement added.
The army urged residents to disregard any rumours of an attack in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and to remain calm.
“The general public is therefore urged to please discountenance any speculation of an attack… and remain calm,” Kovangiya stated.
Operation HADIN KAI is the military’s ongoing counterinsurgency effort deployed by the Army in the North-East region.
