An explosion happened at a factory owned by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). The explosion was believed to come from gunpowder production. Two workers died, including a military officer, and four others were hurt on Saturday. The workers were on a weekend shift at the factory.
People living near the factory in Kurmim Gwari, Kaduna city, told our reporter that the explosion made a very loud noise. It was so strong that it shook nearby buildings.
The injured workers were quickly taken to St. Gerard Catholic Church hospital in Kakuri, about two kilometers from the factory.
When our reporter visited the hospital, many people were there. These included DICON workers and family members of the injured and dead. Some people were crying.
A military ambulance came to the hospital and took the injured workers to the 44 military hospital in Kaduna city.
An eyewitness who helped take the victims to the hospital said the explosion came from making gunpowder called primer powder. The explosion killed one military officer and one civilian worker immediately. Four other civilian workers were badly hurt and were in critical condition.
Another local resident said he heard a very big blast that shook buildings around the factory. He saw people running and thought it was a bomb. Later, he learned it was an explosion from making weapons in the factory.
Maria Sambo, the Public Relations Officer for DICON, said the explosion happened because some old materials stored in the factory bunkers had expired.
She said the company is now investigating what caused the explosion.
In a statement made several hours after the explosion, Sambo said: “On Saturday, 20 September 2025, at about 10 am, an explosion happened at the DICON Ordnance Factory Disposal pit. One person died and others were hurt.
“Some old storage bunkers had expired raw materials like Ammonia Nitrates, Primer Caps, and Propellants.
“Since July 2025, DICON had been working to safely destroy these expired materials. They had already destroyed most of the Ammonia Nitrates and other items.
“Unfortunately, the explosion happened while experts were finishing the destruction of the remaining expired materials on Saturday, 20 September 2025.
“The injured workers are now being treated at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna. The body of the dead person was taken to the mortuary.
“We are sorry for the loss and wish the injured a quick recovery. DICON wants to assure everyone that the situation is under control, and there is no need to worry.
“We also want to tell the nearby community that DICON follows strict safety rules. People can continue with their normal lives. The remaining dangerous materials have been made safe.
“A Board of Inquiry has been set up to find out exactly what caused this accident.”
