The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed reports that there was a bomb explosion at the Custodial Centre in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of NCoS cum Deputy Controller of Corrections Umar Abubakar on Monday said the attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service, he said their attention has been drawn to an online report of a purported bomb explosion in Maiduguri Custodial Centre.
According to the viral report, “initial reports from within the prison stated that an object, suspected to be a bomb, was lobbed into Okah’s cell through the open window bars.”
The report further claimed that witnesses said heavy smoke billowed from the cell, where Okah has been confined since March 16, 2025.
Abubakar said the report was not true, stressing that it was misleading “as the situation at the custodial centre is calm and stable.”
“The inmates are continuing their treatment regime of rehabilitation programmes without disruption. No security breach at any of our Custodial centres across the country, the deputy comptroller general insisted.
“The fake report should be disregarded.”
An online news platform had reported that explosion rocked the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MaSCC) in Maiduguri on Sunday night, April 20, 2025, around 9 pm, sparking a fire in the solitary confinement cell where Charles Okah, a prominent detainee, has been held since mid-March.
The report claimed that initial reports from within the prison stated that an object, suspected to be a bomb, was lobbed into Okah’s cell through the open window bars.
The report further claimed that witnesses said heavy smoke billowed from the cell, where Okah has been confined since March 16, 2025.