The Federal Government has set up a committee to investigate the deadly explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in Kaduna State, which killed two workers and left four others injured.
The incident occurred on Saturday at DICON’s factory in the Kurmin Gwari area of Kaduna metropolis. Among the deceased was a military officer, while the injured victims are currently receiving medical attention.
Maria Sambo, the public relations officer of DICON, confirmed that the explosion happened during the final phase of a controlled destruction exercise involving expired explosives and hazardous materials.
These included large quantities of ammonium nitrate, primer caps, and propellants. She emphasized that the situation was under control and assured that safety protocols had been activated.
Kabir Adamu, Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence Ltd. and former Head of Security at the Senate, described the incident as “worrisome” during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday.
“The explosion was worrisome. The President visited Kaduna, and the next thing we heard was an explosion after he left. So, the first thing that came to my mind was whether it was sabotage or a security threat,” Adamu said.
He added that while initial fears centered on sabotage, current findings suggest otherwise. “For now, there is no indication that it was a sabotage, and the way the government responded was commendable. A committee has been set up to investigate what happened,” he noted.
The security expert stressed that the tragedy could have been avoided with stricter adherence to safety measures. “The explosion could have been prevented, but as we know, these are materials that are components for assembling different types of weaponry,” he said.
Adamu also linked the incident to the government’s renewed push for self-reliance in defense production. “One of the policies of this administration is to enhance and increase our capacity for local production of weapons. That means DICON has seen more activities than it used to in the past,” he explained.
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, established in 1964, serves as the country’s primary defense manufacturing facility. The Kaduna complex has been at the heart of Nigeria’s efforts to boost local weapons production, particularly in response to rising security challenges nationwide.
Authorities have assured that the investigation will determine the exact cause of the explosion and identify lapses in safety protocols. The Federal Government has also promised to support the victims’ families while ensuring stricter oversight of hazardous material handling within the defense industry.
The Kaduna incident has reignited debates on workplace safety, particularly in sensitive military installations, as the nation seeks to balance increased defense production with operational security.
