Two Reported Dead as Explosion Rocks DICON Factory in Kaduna

…Expired materials responsible for explosion — Spokesperson

An explosion allegedly from gunpowder production at the factory of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has killed two staff, including a military officer, and injured four other workers on Saturday.

The affected workers were said to be on a weekend working shift at the factory.

Residents living closer to the factory in Kurmim Gwari area of Kaduna city told our Correspondent that there was a deafening sound from the explosion and it shook buildings in the environment.

The injured victims were quickly rushed to St. Gerard Catholic Church hospital, Kakuri, which is about two kilometres from the scene of the incident.

When our Correspondent visited the hospital, a large crowd of sympathizers, including some DICON staff and relatives of the victims, were seen, with some of them weeping.

A military ambulance arrived at the hospital and evacuated the injured to the 44 military hospital within Kaduna metropolis.

According to an eyewitness who was among the people that evacuated the victims to the hospital but pleaded anonymity, “It was an explosion from the production of gunpowders; it is called primer powder or something like that. The explosion killed a military officer on the spot, and one civilian worker. The other civilian workers that were critically injured are four in number. They are in critical conditions as I speak with you.”

A resident in the area who also did not want his name in print said, “I heard a very big blast; it shook the surrounding buildings around the DICON. I saw people running from the area. We thought it was a bomb explosion, but we later heard that it was an explosion in the factory as a result of arms production.”

However, the Public Relations Officer of Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Maria Sambo, has said that the explosion that rocked the Corporation’s factory was as a result of expired materials stored in the bunkers.

Sambo said the management of the Corporation has instituted a board of inquiry to unravel the immediate cause of the incident.

In a press statement several hours after the incident, Sambo stated that, “On Saturday, 20 September 2025, at about 10 am, an explosion occurred at DICON Ordnance Factory Disposal pit, killing one person and injuring others.

“Some old storage bunkers used to store Raw Materials for production contained several expired materials for production which have exceeded their lifespans, including a large quantity of Ammonia Nitrates, Primer Caps, Propellants and others.

“DICON had earlier initiated efforts since July 2025 to ensure the controlled disposal of these expired items and successfully destroyed all the Ammonia Nitrates and the majority of other items.

“However, the unfortunate accident of the explosion occurred while specialists were concluding the destruction of the remaining quantity of the expired items at the disposal pit on Saturday, 20 September 2025.

“The injured DICON staff are currently receiving treatment at 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, while the body of the deceased Personnel has been deposited at the mortuary.

“While commiserating with staff, families and friends of the deceased and wishing the injured a quick recovery, DICON assures the general public that the unfortunate incident is under control and there is no need for panic.

“The neighbouring community is assured that DICON, as a responsible professional organisation, has institutionalised operational safety to the highest level, and they can go about their normal business. The remaining materials have been made safe.

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

(Saturday Sun)