One person has been confirmed dead following an explosion on Saturday at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in Kaduna.
Several other staff members sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Public Relations Officer of DICON, Maria Sambo, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to her, 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 10 am, an explosion occurred at DICON Ordnance Factory Disposal pit, killing one person and injuring others,” the statement reads.
“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.”
The statement 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.”
According to her, the injured DICON staff were receiving treatment at 44 Nigerian Army Referral Hospital, Kaduna, while the body of the deceased personnel has been deposited at the mortuary.”
The statement extended condolences to the family and friends of the deceased staff, and wished the injured speedy recovery.
It 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,” the statement added.
Sambo said a board of inquiry has been set up to determine the immediate cause of the incident.
