Kaduna Explosion: Military officer, civilian dead in DICON tragedy

Two persons, including a military officer, were confirmed dead on Saturday, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries following an explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) factory in Kaduna.

The incident reportedly occurred during gunpowder production at the Kurmin Gwari-based facility, triggering widespread panic in nearby communities. A deafening blast shook surrounding buildings and sent residents fleeing in fear, many assuming it was a bomb attack.

It was learnt that the explosion took place while some  DICON staff were on a weekend shift. One of the deceased was identified as a military officer, who died instantly alongside a civilian worker. Four other individuals sustained serious injuries.

The injured victims were said to have been initially taken to St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital in Kakuri, before being evacuated by military ambulance to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.