Explosion at DICON factory in Kaduna kills two, injures four

An explosion on Saturday at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in Kaduna claimed two lives, including that of a military officer, and left four others critically injured.

The blast, which reportedly occurred during the production of gunpowder materials at the factory in Kurmin Gwari, shook surrounding buildings and sent residents fleeing in panic.

Witnesses initially mistook the explosion for a bomb blast before learning it originated from the arms-manufacturing plant.

Victims were first rushed to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital in Kakuri, where distraught relatives and colleagues gathered as doctors worked to stabilise the injured.

They were later transferred by military ambulance to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital for further treatment.

Eyewitnesses said the explosion occurred during the handling of primer powder, a key material in weapons production, killing a military officer and a civilian worker instantly while four other staff sustained life-threatening injuries.

As of press time, DICON management had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The explosion has heightened concerns among residents about safety standards at the 61-year-old arms factory, which is located in a densely populated part of Kaduna metropolis.