An explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) factory in Kaduna has claimed a life and left others injured.
The blast occurred on Saturday morning at about 10:00 a.m. in the Kurmin Gwari area of Kaduna metropolis, while production staff were on a weekend shift.
Witnesses recount that a powerful explosion shook nearby buildings, causing panic among residents in Kaduna South, Chikun and other adjoining Local Government Areas.
A resident, speaking anonymously, said, “I heard a very big blast that shook the surrounding buildings. People started running, thinking it was a bomb. Later, we learnt it was an accident at the DICON factory.”
Maria Sambo, Public Relations Officer at DICON, issued a statement confirming that the explosion happened “at DICON Ordnance Factory Disposal pit, killing one person and injuring others,” adding that expired explosive materials were being destroyed.
These materials included ammonium nitrates, primer caps, propellants, and others.
She further explained that DICON began a controlled disposal of such expired materials in July 2025, and that most of them had been safely destroyed before the incident. The explosion reportedly occurred as specialists were concluding the destruction of the remaining stock.
DICON has assured the public that the situation is under control, that operational safety measures are in place, and that the neighbouring community need not panic. A board of inquiry has been set up to establish the immediate cause of the explosion.
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria is a government-owned arms and munitions manufacturing organisation based in Kaduna. It produces small arms, artillery, explosives, and other defence equipment for the Nigerian Armed Forces.
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