The Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has confirmed the death of one staff member following an explosion at its facility in Kaduna.
The incident occurred on Saturday at
about 10:00 a.m., while workers were attempting to dispose of obsolete
weapons and explosive materials - including ammonium nitrate, primer
caps, propellants, and other components. Some of the items
unexpectedly ignited, leading to the explosion.
DICON’s spokesperson, Maria Sambo,
stated that the injured have been taken to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference
Hospital, Kaduna, for medical treatment. She added that the deceased’s body
has been moved to the mortuary.
Sambo appealed to residents of Kurmin
Gwaro and neighboring communities to remain calm, assuring them that there
is no cause for panic as the agency has already taken robust safety measures to
protect the surrounding areas.
She further disclosed that a committee has been set up to investigate the cause of the explosion, while emphasizing that the corporation is working diligently to ensure safety and to learn lessons from the incident.