By Nkechi Eze
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that an ordnance explosion occurred on Saturday morning, September 20, 2025, at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) facility in Kaduna. The tragic incident claimed one life and left several other personnel injured.
Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, disclosed the development in an official statement, noting that the explosion happened while specialists were concluding the destruction of expired ordnance materials. These included Ammonia Nitrates, Primer Caps, Propellants, and other hazardous substances.
According to the DHQ, the injured personnel have been evacuated and are currently receiving medical care at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna. In the wake of the incident, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, extended heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased, while also wishing the injured personnel a quick recovery.
Brigadier General Gusau assured members of the public that the situation was fully under control and that there was no cause for panic. He emphasized that the surrounding community had been reassured of their safety, adding that DICON continues to uphold strict operational safety standards in its operations.
The Defence Headquarters further disclosed that a thorough investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the explosion and to ensure that measures are put in place to prevent a recurrence.
