Tragedy struck on Saturday when an explosion occurred at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Ordnance Factory disposal pit, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
The incident, which happened around 10 a.m., was linked to the disposal of expired raw materials used in arms production, including ammonia nitrates, primer caps, and propellants that had exceeded their lifespans.
According to a statement by the Public Relation Officer DICON, Maria Sambo, and shared on the Nigerian Army’s Facebook page on Saturday, efforts to safely destroy the expired items began in July 2025, with most of the hazardous materials already neutralised.
However, the blast occurred while specialists were finalising the destruction of the remaining stock.
The injured personnel are receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, while the remains of the deceased staff member have been deposited in the mortuary.
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DICON expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and assured the public that the situation was under control. The organisation added that there was no cause for panic, as the remaining materials had been secured.
“DICON, as a responsible professional organisation, has institutionalised operational safety to the highest level.
“The neighbouring community can go about their normal activities,” the statement read.
A Board of Inquiry has been set up to investigate the immediate cause of the explosion.