A looming catastrophe threatens the Nigerian Air Force Base in Ikeja as an extended power outage has left military bombs and rockets vulnerable to extreme heat.
The rising temperatures within the storage facility have created a dangerously unstable environment, increasing the risk of a devastating explosion.
For 12 days, the base has been without stable electricity, despite consistent payments to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (Ikeja Electric). With cooling systems down, high-calibre armaments are heating up dangerously, raising fears of an uncontrolled detonation similar to the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment bomb blast, which killed hundreds and displaced thousands.
A senior military officer, speaking under anonymity, warned of the consequences. “These bombs are not meant to be exposed to extreme heat. The longer this blackout continues, the higher the risk of an explosion,” the source said.
Beyond the threat of a munitions disaster, the blackout has crippled healthcare services at the base’s reference hospital. With no electricity to power essential medical equipment, all scheduled surgeries have been cancelled, forcing patients to seek treatment elsewhere.
The hospital morgue is also struggling, as erratic power supply threatens the preservation of bodies. Staff members report deteriorating conditions, with the facility barely functioning under the current circumstances.
The crisis has also taken a toll on soldiers stationed at the base. The intense heat wave, worsened by the lack of electricity, has led to cases of meningitis among troops. Some soldiers, unable to bear the stifling conditions in their barracks, have resorted to sleeping outdoors.
“This is a military base, not a refugee camp,” one officer lamented. “We have personnel falling sick because of the heat, yet there’s no sign of relief.”
In another alarming development, stocks of Jet A1 fuel, used for military aircraft, have been exposed to the scorching temperatures. Without adequate storage conditions, the highly flammable fuel poses a significant fire hazard, further endangering lives and infrastructure within the base.
Despite its contractual agreement with Ikeja Electric to receive 10–12 hours of power daily, the Nigerian Air Force has been left in darkness. Documents reveal that NAF paid ₦60 million in November 2024 but only received electricity worth ₦43.4 million, with no explanation for the missing funds. A similar discrepancy occurred in December.
Military officials have accused Ikeja Electric of deliberately withholding power, calling the situation an act of “sabotage with dire national security implications.” The base commander has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for power to be restored, warning that continued denial of electricity could lead to serious consequences.
“The troops are watching, and they know this is deliberate,” the commander stated. “We are doing our best to maintain order, but this cannot continue.”
With mounting concerns over a possible explosion, residents of Ikeja and surrounding areas are growing uneasy. The memory of the 2002 bomb blast, which devastated the area and left hundreds dead, remains fresh.
“This isn’t just a military issue—it’s a public safety crisis,” a local security expert noted. “If these bombs go off, the entire city could be at risk.”
As pressure mounts on Ikeja Electric, military officials and residents alike are calling for urgent intervention to prevent what could be one of the most devastating disasters in recent history.
