- Officials assure remaining materials now safe
Authorities at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) have confirmed the death of one person in the explosion that occured on Saturday, 20 September 2025 at its Ordnance Factory Disposal pit in Kaduna.
The unfortunate incident, which occurred at about 10 am, also injured several other people in the process.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of DICON, Maria Sambo, on behalf of the Director General, explained that, “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 further stated that, “DICON had earlier initiated efforts since July 2025 to ensure the controlled disposal of these expired items and successfully destroyed all the Ammonia Nitrates and the majority of 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.
“The injured DICON staff are currently receiving treatment at 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, while the body of the deceased Personnel has been deposited at the mortuary.”
Meanwhile, in commiserating with staff, families and friends of the deceased and wishing the injured a quick recovery, the statement said, “DICON assures the general public that the unfortunate incident is under control and there is no need for panic.
“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.”
Besides offering assurances that “the remaining materials have been made safe”, the DICON Spokesperson said, “A Board of Inquiry has been instituted to unravel the immediate cause of the unfortunate incident.”
