An explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in Kaduna on Saturday claimed the lives of two people, including a military officer, while four others sustained injuries.
The incident, which occurred during gunpowder production at the factory located in Kurmin Gwari area of the city, triggered panic among residents after a loud blast shook nearby buildings.
Eyewitnesses said the explosion happened during a weekend shift.
“It was from the production of gunpowder, what they call primer powder. The explosion killed a military officer instantly and one civilian staff. Four others were critically injured,” a source said.
The victims were initially rushed to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, about two kilometres from the site, before military ambulances later moved them to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna.
When our correspondent visited St. Gerard, relatives and colleagues of the victims were seen weeping as sympathisers trooped into the hospital premises.
A resident of Kurmin Gwari said the sound was “deafening” and caused many people to flee their homes thinking it was a bomb.
As at the time of filing this report, efforts to get the reaction of DICON management were unsuccessful.