The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has confirmed that an explosion at its factory in Kaduna State on Saturday, September 20, 2025, resulted in the death of one staff and injured several others.
In a statement issued by DICON’s Public Relations Officer, Maria Sambo, the incident was attributed to expired raw materials stored in old bunkers previously used for weapon production.
According to Sambo, the incident occurred at approximately 10:00 a.m. while specialists were finalising the destruction of expired Ammonium Nitrate, primer caps, propellants, and other components at the DICON disposal pit.
The explosion was attributed to expired raw materials stored in old bunkers previously used for weapon production.
The corporation had reportedly begun a controlled disposal operation in July 2025 and had successfully destroyed all expired Ammonium Nitrate and the majority of other items before the incident occurred.
A Board of Inquiry has been instituted to investigate the immediate cause of the explosion and prevent a recurrence.
The injured personnel are currently receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, while the body of the deceased has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
While expressing its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased and wishing the injured a speedy recovery, DICON assured the public that the situation was under control and there was no cause for panic.
It added that the neighbouring community could go about their normal business as the remaining materials have been made safe.
Contrary to DICON’s statement, some reports indicate that two people, including a military officer, were killed in the explosion, while four others sustained injuries.
The discrepancy in casualty numbers has not been officially clarified.
