Explosion at DICON factory disposal pit kills one, injures others
By: Zagazola Makama
An explosion has occurred at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Ordnance Factory disposal pit in Kaduna, killing one staff member and injuring others.
The incident, which happened at about 10 a.m. on Saturday, was linked to expired raw materials kept in old storage bunkers. The items, which had exceeded their lifespan, included large quantities of ammonia nitrates, primer caps, propellants and other explosives.
According to a statement signed by the corporation’s Public Relations Officer, Maria Sambo, the explosion occurred while specialists were concluding the destruction of the remaining expired items.
She said that DICON had since July 2025 initiated controlled disposal of the materials, adding that all ammonia nitrates and the majority of the expired items had already been safely destroyed before the accident.
The injured staff are currently receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, while the body of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary.
“While commiserating with staff, families and friends of the deceased and wishing the injured a quick recovery, DICON assures the general public that the unfortunate incident is under control and there is no need for panic,” Sambo stated.
She added that the neighbouring community had been assured of safety, noting that the remaining materials had been made safe.
Sambo further disclosed that a board of inquiry had been instituted to unravel the immediate cause of the explosion.
