One person has reportedly died following an explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in Kaduna.
In a statement on Saturday, Maria Sambo, DICON’s public relations officer, said the explosion occurred around 10am at the corporation’s ordnance factory disposal pit, where expired explosive materials were being destroyed.
“On Saturday, 20 September 2025, at about 10am, an explosion occurred at DICON Ordnance Factory Disposal pit, killing one person and injuring others,”she said.
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“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.”
She explained that DICON had commenced the controlled disposal of the expired materials in July 2025 and had already safely destroyed the Ammonia Nitrates and most of the 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,” she added.
According to her, the injured DICON staff are receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Referral Hospital, Kaduna, while the body of the deceased personnel has been deposited at the mortuary.
Sanbo extended condolences to the family and friends of the deceased staff, and wished the injured speedy recovery.
She also assured the public that the situation is under control and there is no cause for alarm.
“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 said.
Sambo said a board of inquiry has been set up to determine the immediate cause of the incident.
