UPDATED: DICON CONFIRMS ONE DEAD, MANY INJURED IN KADUNA FACTORY EXPLOSION

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By: Sefiu Ajape

The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has confirmed that an explosion occurred at its Ordnance Factory Disposal Pit in Kaduna, leading to the death of one person and injuries to several others.

The corporation clarified that, contrary to initial reports of two fatalities, including a military officer, only one casualty was recorded.

The blast, which took place on Saturday, sent shockwaves across the Kurmin Gwari area where the factory is located.

Many residents initially feared a terror attack until DICON authorities issued an official confirmation.

According to a statement signed by DICON’s Public Relations Officer, Maria Sambo, the explosion occurred during the final phase of controlled destruction of expired explosives and hazardous materials stored at the factory.

“Some old storage bunkers used to store raw materials for production contained several expired items which had exceeded their lifespans, including a large quantity of Ammonia Nitrates, Primer Caps, Propellants, and others,” the statement explained.

Sambo noted that since July 2025, DICON had embarked on a controlled disposal exercise to safely eliminate the expired materials.

Most of the hazardous substances, particularly the highly volatile Ammonia Nitrates, had already been destroyed before Saturday’s incident.

“Unfortunately, the accident occurred while specialists were concluding the destruction of the remaining quantity of the expired items at the disposal pit,” she added.

The explosion claimed the life of a DICON staff member whose identity had not been released as of press time. Several others sustained various injuries and were rushed to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.

“The body of the deceased personnel has been deposited at the mortuary, while the injured staff are receiving treatment,” Sambo said.

She conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and wished the injured workers a speedy recovery.

Residents of Kurmin Gwari and nearby communities reported hearing the deafening blast several kilometres away, which triggered panic and confusion.

“The neighbouring community is assured that DICON, as a responsible professional organisation, has institutionalised operational safety to the highest level. People can go about their normal business,” Sambo stated.

Some residents who spoke to our correspondent earlier said the incident caused chaos in the area.

“I heard a very big blast; it shook the surrounding buildings around DICON. People were running from the area. Initially, we thought it was a bomb explosion, but later we learnt it was from the factory,” a resident, who requested anonymity, said.

Our correspondent gathered that the injured were initially taken to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital in Kakuri, about two kilometres away, before being evacuated by military ambulance to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital for further treatment.

One eyewitness who assisted in conveying victims claimed the explosion happened during production activities.

“It was an explosion from the production of gunpowder—something called primer powder. It killed an official instantly… Four other civilian workers were critically injured. Their conditions are serious,” the source said.

To prevent a recurrence, DICON announced that a Board of Inquiry has been established.

“Accordingly, a Board of Inquiry has been instituted to unravel the immediate cause of the unfortunate incident,” Sambo confirmed.

DICON, established in 1964 as Nigeria’s premier ordnance factory, is responsible for producing arms, ammunition, and other defence equipment for the nation’s security agencies.

Despite multiple safety upgrades over the years, Saturday’s incident underscores the inherent dangers of handling military-grade explosives.

As of press time, security operatives had cordoned off the affected area. DICON assured that normal operations within the factory and surrounding communities would continue.

“We remain committed to operational safety and will continue to safeguard the lives of our staff and the communities around us,” the statement added.