An early-morning explosion has damaged a storage building at the Nigerian Army’s Ilese Barracks in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday, August 14, 2025, was followed by a fire outbreak. Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele confirmed the explosion but described it as “minor,” adding that no lives were lost.
“Specifically, in the early hours of today, 14 August 2025, a localized explosion occurred within one of the storage buildings of the 42 Engineers Brigade Counter Improvised Explosive Device Squadron, leading to a limited fire outbreak,” Anele said in a statement.
She explained that troops from the 12 Field Engineer Regiment, working with the Ijebu-Ode Fire Service, quickly contained the fire. While the building and some stored materials were badly damaged, there were no injuries.
“Importantly, no lives were lost, and no injuries were sustained. The structural damage was confined to the affected building and some stored materials. A detailed assessment is currently underway to determine the extent of material loss,” the statement read.
The Army urged residents of Ilese and neighbouring communities to remain calm and continue their normal activities. It also announced that a thorough investigation had begun, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to determine the cause and prevent a recurrence.
