There are reports that several people were feared dead in the explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) factory in the Kakuri Industrial area of Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The incident, which occurred around 10am on Saturday, reportedly left several people injured, while at least one has been confirmed dead as of the time of filing this report.
Witnesses said the blast was so powerful that it shook nearby communities across Kaduna South and parts of Chikun Local Government Area.
“The sound of the explosion was deafening. Many of us thought it was an earthquake. People ran out of their homes in panic,” a resident of Kakuri said, according to Channels TV.
Although the management of DICON has not issued an official statement on the cause of the explosion, security sources reportedly said military personnel immediately cordoned off the entire factory area to prevent unauthorised access.
Victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
“We cannot give exact numbers now, but patients have been brought in from the explosion site,” a source added.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Kaduna State Emergency officials were also said to have been mobilised to assist in rescue and evacuation efforts.
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, established in 1964, is the country’s premier defence factory.
Located in Kakuri, Kaduna, it is tasked with producing small arms, ammunition, and other military hardware for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.
Over the years, DICON has undergone reforms and collaborations with international defence contractors to boost local production capacity.
However, safety concerns have occasionally been raised over the handling of explosives and ammunition within such facilities, though incidents of this magnitude remain rare.
As of press time, security officials maintained tight control around the factory, and residents were advised to avoid the area until further notice.
Recall that a similar explosion rocked a storage building belonging to the Nigerian Army at its Ilese Barracks, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on August 14, 2025 following a fire outbreak.
Though no life was lost in the incident, the building was badly damaged
