Bomb explosion ignites chaos at Maiduguri prison facility

DDM News

A bomb explosion reportedly rocked the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MaSCC) in Maiduguri on Sunday evening, April 20, 2025, triggering a significant fire within the facility.

The blast, which occurred around 9 pm, reportedly targeted the solitary confinement cell of Charles Okah, a high-profile detainee who has been held at the facility since mid-March.

According to initial reports from the prison, Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that the explosion was allegedly caused by a bomb thrown through the window bars of Okah’s cell.

Eyewitnesses claimed that thick smoke poured out from the affected area, where Okah has been confined since March 16, 2025.

This incident follows the publication of an open letter by Okah to Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi-Ojo, in which he exposed widespread corruption within two of Maiduguri’s correctional facilities.

Inside sources revealed that Okah was heard screaming for help as the smoke grew denser in his cell.

He reportedly shouted that an explosive device had been thrown into his confinement, sparking the fire that quickly spread throughout his quarters.

As of the latest reports, no immediate rescue efforts were underway, and sources suggested that the prison’s bureaucratic procedures were hindering any attempt to open the cell after hours.

Prison officials, faced with the escalating crisis, have failed to act decisively in addressing the emergency.

A source inside the facility disclosed that no fire extinguishers could be located on the premises, and night-duty personnel were notably absent.

This negligence has left inmates in a perilous position, especially those with underlying health conditions such as asthma, who may be at risk of suffocating before help arrives in the morning.

The growing fire, combined with the lack of a swift response from prison staff, has caused a sense of panic among other detainees.

Some inmates, fearing for their lives, may be forced to break open their cells in a desperate bid to escape the choking smoke and flames.

The prison’s inadequate security and medical preparedness have also raised concerns about the potential for a breakout if the fire is not contained quickly.

Charles Okah, serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 2010 Independence Day bombing near Eagle Square in Abuja and another bombing in Warri, Delta State, remains a highly controversial figure.

His detention and the recent incident at Maiduguri prison have raised further questions about the safety, security, and conditions for high-profile prisoners in Nigerian correctional facilities.

As the situation develops, authorities are facing mounting pressure to provide clarity on Okah’s condition and ensure the safety of other inmates.

DDM Reporters attempted to reach Abubakar Umar, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, for comment, but received no response.

The explosion and fire at the Maiduguri Maximum Security Custodial Centre have cast a spotlight on ongoing concerns regarding the management and security of Nigeria’s correctional facilities, particularly for high-profile detainees and the well-being of both inmates and staff.

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