Two people lost their lives and four others were injured on Saturday when an explosion occurred at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) factory in Kaduna.
Among the dead was a military officer and a civilian staff member who were on duty at the time of the incident.
The explosion took place during gunpowder production at the facility in Kurmim Gwari. The blast shook nearby houses, sending fear through the surrounding communities as residents ran for safety. The force of the explosion was so strong that it caused confusion, with many initially mistaking it for a bomb attack.
Those injured were first taken to St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital in Kakuri for urgent treatment before being moved by military ambulance to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna for further medical care.
Witnesses said the explosion happened while workers were carrying out their weekend shift duties inside the plant. The loud sound and tremors spread across the neighbourhood, forcing people to rush out of their homes in panic.
At the time of filing this report, efforts to get an official statement from DICON management had not been successful. Investigations into the cause of the accident are expected to follow.