Tragedy struck on Saturday at the Defence Industries Corporation Of Nigeria (DICON) in Kaduna following a deadly explosion believed to have occurred during the production of gunpowder.

The blast claimed the lives of two workers, including a military officer, and left four others critically injured.

The incident happened at DICON’s factory located in the Kurmin Gwari axis of Kaduna metropolis while employees were on a weekend shift.

Advertisement

Residents living around the area reported that the explosion was so powerful it shook surrounding buildings, causing panic as people fled for safety.

READ MORE : Tragedy As Another Boat Capsizes In Sokoto, Many Feared Dead

“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 who requested anonymity told our correspondent.

According to PUNCH, it was gathered that the injured victims were immediately rushed to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital in Kakuri, located about two kilometres from the factory, for urgent medical attention.

Journalists reported that, at the hospital, a large crowd of sympathizers—including DICON workers and family members of the victims—was seen in distress. Some wept openly as doctors worked to save the injured.

Shortly afterwards, a military ambulance arrived at the hospital and evacuated the victims to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna for further treatment.

An eyewitness who assisted in transporting the wounded to the hospital revealed that the blast happened 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,” the source, who asked not to be named, explained.

Efforts to reach the management of DICON for an official statement proved unsuccessful as no representative was available for comments at press time.

Established in 1964, the Defence Industries Corporation Of Nigeria is the country’s foremost arms manufacturing outfit, responsible for producing weapons and ammunition for the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The Saturday incident has now raised concerns among Kaduna residents over safety standards at the factory, particularly given its proximity to densely populated areas within the metropolis.