The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has officially dismissed reports of a bomb explosion at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MaSCC) in Maiduguri, Borno State. In a statement released on April 21, 2025, the NCoS labeled the circulating claims as "untrue and misleading," urging the public to disregard such misinformation. The service emphasized that there was no such incident at the facility and that operations continue as normal. ​

Contrary to the NCoS's statement, some media outlets have reported that Charles Okah, a high-profile inmate convicted for the 2010 Independence Day bombing, is in critical condition following a suspected explosion at the MaSCC. These reports suggest that the incident occurred around 9 p.m. on April 20 and is being treated by insiders as an attempted assassination. Okah was reportedly found unconscious in his cell early Monday morning, suffering from severe smoke inhalation and possible burns.

The conflicting accounts have generated public concern and calls for clarity regarding the safety and security measures within Nigeria's correctional facilities. As of now, the NCoS maintains that no explosion occurred at the Maiduguri custodial center.