One killed, others injured in explosion at Kaduna DICON facility

One person has been confirmed dead following an explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in Kaduna on Saturday.

Maria Sambo, DICON’s public relations officer, said the blast occurred around 10 a.m. at the corporation’s ordnance factory disposal pit, where expired explosive materials were being destroyed.

“On Saturday, 20 September 2025, at about 10 a.m., an explosion occurred at DICON Ordnance Factory Disposal pit, killing one person and injuring others,” she stated.

According to her, some old storage bunkers contained expired production materials such as Ammonia Nitrates, Primer Caps, and Propellants, which had exceeded their lifespans. She explained that DICON had begun controlled disposal of the expired materials in July 2025 and had already safely destroyed most of them before the unfortunate incident occurred during the final phase of destruction.

The injured staff are receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Referral Hospital in Kaduna, while the deceased’s remains have been deposited at the mortuary.

Sambo expressed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the recovery of the injured. She assured the public that the situation is under control and that there is no cause 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,” she added.

She further disclosed that a board of inquiry has been set up to determine the immediate cause of the explosion.