Residents of Maiduguri, Borno State, have demanded the relocation of the Nigerian Army’s Giwa Barracks detention facility, citing heightened insecurity following a May 30, 2025, attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
The assault, targeting the facility in Maiduguri’s outskirts, killed three soldiers and freed 112 detainees, including 30 high-profile terrorism suspects. Community leaders, led by Zanna Bukar, expressed concerns that the barracks, holding over 1,500 suspected insurgents, attracts militant attacks, endangering nearby neighborhoods. In a petition to Governor Babagana Zulum, residents proposed moving the facility to a remote location, arguing it would reduce civilian risks and improve military operations.
The attack, the third on Giwa Barracks since 2023, exploited lax perimeter security, with insurgents using explosives to breach walls. The military recaptured 45 escapees and launched a manhunt for others, deploying air and ground forces. General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, attributed the attack to Boko Haram’s desperation to replenish ranks amid losses.
Residents like Aisha Mohammed, whose home was damaged, fear reprisal attacks, as escapees may blend into communities. Zulum promised to engage federal authorities, noting the facility’s strategic role in counterterrorism. The incident, following a 2024 Alau Dam flood that displaced 70% of Maiduguri, has strained Borno’s security, with 1,200 insurgency-related deaths in 2024. Calls for enhanced surveillance and community policing accompany demands for relocation to restore safety.