An explosion rocked the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) factory located in the Kakuri Industrial area of Kaduna South local government, Kaduna State, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at approximately 10 am. The powerful blast, described by witnesses as "deafening," sent shockwaves through communities across Kaduna South and parts of Chikun local government areas, with many residents initially mistaking the sound for an earthquake.

Initial reports on the incident provided conflicting casualty figures, with some stating two fatalities and four injuries. However, DICON, through its spokesperson Maria Sambo, later officially confirmed that one person died and some of its workers were injured. The injured personnel were initially rushed to St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, before being transferred by military ambulance to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, where they are currently receiving medical treatment. The body of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary.

DICON clarified that the explosion occurred at its Ordnance Factory Disposal pit while specialists were in the process of concluding the destruction of remaining expired materials. These materials, which included a large quantity of Ammonia Nitrates, Primer Caps, and Propellants, were stored in old bunkers and had exceeded their lifespans. The corporation had initiated efforts for the controlled disposal of these hazardous items since July 2025, successfully destroying all the Ammonia Nitrates and the majority of other items prior to this unfortunate accident.

In the wake of the incident, security sources reported that military personnel immediately cordoned off the entire factory area to prevent unauthorized access. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Kaduna State Emergency officials were also mobilized to aid in rescue and evacuation efforts. DICON has since issued assurances to the general public that the incident is under control and that there is no need for panic. The corporation also assured neighboring communities of its commitment to operational safety and confirmed that the remaining materials at the site have been made safe. To unravel the immediate cause of the explosion, DICON has instituted a Board of Inquiry.

Established in 1964, DICON serves as Nigeria’s premier arms manufacturing outfit, responsible for producing small arms, ammunition, and other military hardware for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies. While DICON has undergone various reforms and collaborations to enhance its local production capacity, safety concerns regarding the handling of explosives and ammunition within such facilities have occasionally been raised, though incidents of this magnitude remain rare. This event follows a similar explosion on August 14, 2025, when a storage building belonging to the Nigerian Army at its Ilese Barracks in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, was rocked by a fire outbreak.