Tragedy struck on Saturday when an explosion ripped through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in Kaduna, killing two workers—including a military officer—and leaving four others injured. The blast, believed to have occurred during gunpowder production, happened at the corporation’s factory in the Kurmin Gwari area of the city.
Residents said the explosion was so powerful that it shook nearby buildings, sparking panic as people fled the area. The injured victims were rushed to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital before being transferred to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital for further treatment. Eyewitnesses confirmed that one military officer and a civilian worker died instantly, while four civilian staff remain in critical condition.
DICON, established in 1964 as Nigeria’s premier arms manufacturer, has yet to issue an official statement on the incident. The blast has renewed safety concerns among residents, given the factory’s location in a densely populated part of Kaduna.
