Kaduna arms factory explosion under federal investigation after blast kills two at DICON. Committee set up to probe causes and improve safety

Kaduna arms factory explosion has prompted the Federal Government to establish a committee to investigate the incident, which claimed the lives of two workers and injured four others at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) complex in Kaduna.

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The explosion occurred on Saturday during what was described as the final phase of a controlled destruction of expired explosives, including ammonium nitrate, primer caps, and propellants.

DICON’s spokesperson,Maria Sambo, confirmed the situation was under control and the incident happened within a secure disposal area.

However, security analyst and Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence Ltd., Kabir Adamu, who spoke on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, labelled the Kaduna arms factory explosion as worrisome, adding that the tragedy could have been avoided with stricter safety protocols.

“The explosion could have been prevented,” Adamu noted.

“These are hazardous materials used in weaponry.

One small error can cause catastrophic consequences.”

He added that a federal committee has now been set up to conduct a thorough investigation into the explosion, while urging Nigerians not to jump to conclusions until the official report is released.

The incident has sparked broader conversations about safety standards in arms production and disposal facilities, especially in light of the government’s push to boost local manufacturing of weapons.

Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, DICON has seen increased activity as part of an ambitious goal to produce 40% of Nigeria’s defence equipment domestically.

Adamu acknowledged the administration’s commitment to reducing reliance on imported arms but warned that safety gaps must be addressed immediately.

“In my interaction with security personnel, the standard of collecting, storing, and disposing of these materials is still very weak. Those gaps need to be corrected,” he said.

The incident rekindled memories of the 2002 Ikeja cantonment explosion, which claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands.

Although the Kaduna explosion was comparatively contained, experts warn that even small oversights in such facilities carry massive risks.

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As the federal committee prepares to release its findings, stakeholders are calling for improved protocols and infrastructure at DICON and similar facilities to prevent future disasters.

Source: Read more at thisdaylive.com