Correctional services denied the Bomb explosion report at the Charles Okah cell in Maiduguri prison

The Nigerian Penitentiary (NCOS) service has rejected bomb explosion claims at the Custodial Custodial Center (MSCC) Medium Security in Maiduguri, describing the report as “wrong and misleading.”

In a statement issued on Monday, April 21, 2025, and was signed by a service community service officer, Umar Abubakar Correction Representative, NCO convinced Nigerians that there were no security violations in Maiduguri facilities or at other national guards.

“The attention of Nigerian correctional services has been withdrawn to the online bomb explosion report that is recognized at the Maiduguri detention center. This report is not true and very misleading,” the statement said. “The situation at the guard center remains calm and stable. Prisoners continue their rehabilitation program without interruption. False reports must be ignored.”

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NCO issued a rebuttal after the expansion of online claims that the explosion had occurred at around 21:00 on Sunday, April 20, at the Sollas Charles Okah confinement cell, a high profile inmate.

Witness accounts should be from prison accusing an object, which is believed to be an explosive device, thrown into an okah cell through the window rod, triggering smoke and fire. Okah reportedly sounded coughing and asked for help.

Further reports show that strict prison procedures, especially the rules governing isolation confinement, may have delayed immediate rescue efforts because of the time needed for authorization to open cells at night.

Charles Okah has been in an isolation cell since March 16, 2025. He is currently serving a life sentence because of his involvement on October 1, 2010, a bombing near Eagle Square in Abuja and separate attacks in Warri, Delta State, in March 2010.

The alleged time of the incident coincided with the recent Okah Okah letter to the Minister of the Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, where he accused Systemic Corruption Officials in the Maiduguri Penitentiary System.

While the Correctional Authority continues to maintain that the center is safe and stable, the verification of independent explosions has not been made. The public has been urged to remain calm and ignore what NCO has described as “unfounded and sensational reports.”

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