Tragedy struck on Saturday at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in Kaduna following an explosion believed to have emanated from gunpowder production, leaving two workers dead—including a military officer—and four others injured.
The incident occurred during a weekend shift at the corporation’s factory in the Kurmin Gwari area of Kaduna metropolis.
Residents near the factory said the blast was so powerful it shook surrounding buildings and triggered panic in the area.
> “I heard a very big blast; it shook the surrounding buildings around DICON. People were running from the area. Initially, we thought it was a bomb explosion, but later we learnt it was from the factory,” a resident told our correspondent.
The injured victims were rushed to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, about two kilometres from the factory, before being transferred by military ambulance to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital for further treatment.
Eyewitnesses said the explosion occurred during the production of gunpowder materials used in arms manufacturing.
> “It was an explosion from the production of gunpowder—something called primer powder. It killed a military officer instantly, as well as one civilian worker. Four other civilian workers were critically injured. Their conditions are serious,” an eyewitness said.
When The Punch visited St. Gerard Hospital, relatives, colleagues, and sympathisers crowded the premises, some in tears, as doctors battled to stabilise the victims.
Efforts to reach DICON management for official comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
Established in 1964, DICON is Nigeria’s premier arms manufacturing outfit, responsible for producing weapons and ammunition for the Armed Forces.
The incident has heightened safety concerns among residents, who noted the factory’s location within a densely populated area of Kaduna metropolis.
