One dies in Kaduna arms factory explosion

The military on Saturday confirmed that one person was killed, while several others sustained injuries in an explosion that occurred at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria arms factory in Kaduna.

DICON, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Maria Sambo, said the incident occurred at about 10 am at the Ordnance Factory Disposal Pit located in the Kakuri Industrial Area of Kaduna South Local Government.

“On Saturday, September 20, 2025, at about 10 am, an explosion occurred at DICON Ordnance Factory Disposal pit, killing one person and injuring others,” the statement said.

The corporation explained that the blast was triggered during an ongoing exercise to dispose of expired raw materials stored in old bunkers.

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,” DICON disclosed.

According to the statement, efforts had been ongoing since July to safely dispose of the expired explosives.

“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,” it added.

The corporation confirmed that the victims of the accident are its personnel.

“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,” the statement read.

While commiserating with staff and families affected by the tragedy, the corporation gave assurance that the situation was under control.

“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,” it noted.

It also sought to calm fears within the Kakuri neighbourhood and surrounding communities.

“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. The remaining materials have been made safe,” the statement further assured.

DICON added that measures have already been taken to establish the root cause of the blast.

“Accordingly, a Board of Inquiry has been instituted to unravel the immediate cause of the unfortunate incident,” the corporation said.