Mohammed Garba
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has confirmed that an explosion occurred on Saturday at its Ordnance Factory Disposal Pit in Kaduna, claiming the life of one personnel and leaving several others injured.
The incident, which initially sparked fears of a terror attack among residents of Kurmin Gwari, was later clarified by DICON officials. A statement issued by the corporation’s spokesperson, Maria Sambo, explained that the blast happened during the controlled destruction of expired explosives and hazardous materials.
According to her, some old storage bunkers contained expired items that had exceeded their lifespans, including Ammonia Nitrates, Primer Caps, and Propellants. While most of the volatile substances had been destroyed since July as part of an ongoing safety exercise, the accident occurred during the final phase of the operation.
“The explosion unfortunately claimed the life of a DICON personnel, while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital for treatment,” Sambo said. She extended condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the injured a quick recovery.
Eyewitnesses reported that the blast was so loud it shook surrounding buildings, forcing residents to flee in panic. Some victims were initially taken to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital in Kakuri before being transferred to the Army hospital.
A resident told reporters: “I heard a very big blast; it shook the surrounding buildings around DICON. People were running from the area. Initially, we thought it was a bomb explosion, but later we learnt it was from the factory.”
Meanwhile, an eyewitness involved in the rescue effort said the explosion originated from the production of gunpowder materials, adding that four other civilian workers were critically injured.
To prevent a recurrence, DICON announced that a Board of Inquiry had been set up to investigate the immediate cause of the incident.
Security operatives have since cordoned off the site, while the corporation assured nearby residents that there was no further cause for alarm.
“DICON remains committed to operational safety and will continue to safeguard the lives of its staff and the surrounding communities,” Sambo stressed.
DICON, established in 1964, is Nigeria’s premier ordnance factory responsible for producing arms, ammunition, and other defence equipment for the military and security agencies. Despite several safety upgrades in recent years, Saturday’s incident highlights the dangers associated with handling military-grade explosives.