An explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria’s (DICON) Ordnance Factory Disposal Pit in Kaduna on Saturday has resulted in the death of one staff member and injuries to several others. The incident, which initially caused panic among local residents, was later confirmed to have occurred during the final phase of a controlled destruction of expired explosives.
According to a statement from DICON’s Public Relations Officer, Maria Sambo, the explosion happened while specialists were disposing of hazardous materials, including expired Ammonia Nitrates, Primer Caps, and Propellants. These substances had surpassed their shelf life and were being safely destroyed as part of a routine disposal exercise that had been underway since July 2025.
“Most of the volatile substances had already been disposed of before Saturday’s accident,” Sambo said, explaining that the unfortunate blast occurred as the team was concluding the operation.
The explosion, which reverberated across the Kurmin Gwari area, initially sparked fears of a terror attack. However, DICON officials were quick to clarify that it was an accident related to the disposal operation. Residents described hearing a deafening sound that shook surrounding buildings, causing widespread panic.
“I heard a loud bang that shook the buildings around DICON. People ran in fear, thinking it was a bomb,” a local resident recalled.
The blast claimed the life of a DICON staff member, whose name has not been publicly disclosed. Several others were rushed to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital in Kakuri for emergency treatment before being transferred to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital for further care.
DICON expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident and are providing support to those affected,” said Sambo.
The corporation reassured the public that the situation was under control, stating that the remaining hazardous materials had been secured. “There is no further cause for concern. The public can go about their normal activities,” Sambo confirmed.
In response to the incident, a Board of Inquiry has been set up to investigate the cause of the explosion. “We are committed to ensuring the highest level of safety and will conduct a thorough investigation to prevent such accidents in the future,” she added.
DICON, established in 1964, is Nigeria’s primary ordnance factory responsible for producing arms, ammunition, and other defence-related equipment. The corporation has invested in various safety upgrades over the years. However, this incident underscores the inherent risks involved in handling military-grade explosives.
The factory has since been secured by security operatives, and DICON assured that normal operations within the facility and the surrounding community 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 concluded.
