Explosion at Kaduna’s DICON Factory Leaves Two Dead, Four Injured

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

The incident occurred during gunpowder production at the Kurmim Gwari-based facility, triggering panic across nearby communities after a thunderous blast shook buildings and sent residents fleeing.

Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion happened while staff were on weekend shift duty. A military officer and a civilian worker died instantly, while four others sustained critical injuries.

The wounded were first taken to St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, before being transferred by military ambulance to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna.

A resident, who requested anonymity, described the chaos: “I heard a very big blast that shook the surrounding buildings. People started running, thinking it was a bomb. Later we learnt it was an accident at the DICON factory.”

As of press time, efforts to obtain an official response from DICON’s management were unsuccessful.

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