A prolonged power outage at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Ikeja, Lagos, has raised serious concerns over the safety of military-grade bombs and rockets, with fears that rising temperatures could trigger an explosion.
For 12 days, the base has been without stable electricity despite consistent payments to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (Ikeja Electric). The situation has disabled the cooling systems required to maintain high-calibre armaments, increasing the risk of an uncontrolled detonation similar to the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment bomb blast, which claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands.
A senior military officer, speaking anonymously, warned about the dire consequences of the ongoing blackout. “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 looming threat of a munitions disaster, the power failure has severely affected healthcare services at the base’s reference hospital. The lack of electricity has forced the cancellation of all scheduled surgeries, leaving patients with no choice but to seek treatment elsewhere. Additionally, the hospital morgue is struggling to preserve bodies due to erratic power supply, with staff reporting deteriorating conditions.
The blackout has also impacted soldiers stationed at the base, as the ongoing heatwave has led to cases of meningitis among troops. Some soldiers, unable to endure the extreme conditions inside 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 worrying development, stocks of Jet A1 fuel, used for military aircraft, have been exposed to high temperatures. The lack of proper storage conditions has turned the fuel into a significant fire hazard, posing an additional risk to lives and infrastructure within the base.
Despite having a contractual agreement with Ikeja Electric to receive 10 to 12 hours of power daily, the Nigerian Air Force has been left in darkness. Documents indicate that NAF paid ₦60 million in November 2024 but only received electricity worth ₦43.4 million, with no explanation for the shortfall. A similar discrepancy was recorded in December.
Military officials have accused Ikeja Electric of deliberately withholding power, describing the situation as an act of “sabotage with dire national security implications.” In response, the base commander has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for power to be restored, warning of serious consequences if the crisis persists.
“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.”
The growing concerns have also unsettled residents of Ikeja and surrounding areas, who fear a repeat of the 2002 tragedy.
“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.”
With pressure mounting on Ikeja Electric, both military officials and residents are calling for immediate intervention to prevent a potential disaster.