EXCLUSIVE: Three Persons, Not One, Killed, Eight Injured In DICON Factory Explosion, Sources Contradict Official Statement.

Sources within DICON revealed that eight others are currently receiving treatment in the hospital after sustaining varying degrees of injuries during the blast..

At least three people have been killed following the explosion that rocked the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) factory in Kaduna State, SaharaReporters has learnt.

According to insiders, those who lost their lives include Master Warrant Officer Nanzing Dul Nimfyel, a personal assistant to the Director of Production; an Air Force officer identified simply as Emmanuel; and a civilian safety officer named Wasinga.

“The casualties include Master Warrant Officer Nanzing Dul Nimfyel, a personal assistant to the Director of Production; an Air Force officer identified as Emmanuel; and a civilian safety officer named Wasinga,” one of the sources said.

This brings the casualty figure to two Nigerian Air Force personnel and one civilian.

On Saturday, SaharaReporters reported the explosion at the Kaduna-based military production factory. In response, DICON issued a statement signed by its spokesperson, Maria Sambo, confirming the incident but stating that only one person had died, while some workers were injured.

The corporation said, "On Saturday, 20 September 2025, at about 10 am, an explosion occurred at DICON Ordnance Factory Disposal pit, killing one person and injuring others.

“Some old storage bunkers used to store Raw Materials for production contained several expired materials for production which have exceeded their lifespans, including a large quantity of Ammonia Nitrates, Primer Caps, Propellants, and others.

"DICON had earlier initiated efforts since July 2025 to ensure the controlled disposal of these expired items and successfully destroyed all the Ammonia Nitrates and the majority of other items.

“However, the unfortunate accident of the explosion occurred while specialists were concluding the destruction of the remaining quantity of the expired items at the disposal pit on Saturday, 20 September 2025.”

"The injured DICON staff are currently receiving treatment at 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, while the body of the deceased personnel has been deposited at the mortuary,” the statement added.

SaharaReporters earlier exclusively reported that a devastating explosion occurred at the DICON factory in Kaduna's Kakuri Industrial Layout on Saturday morning.

The blast was reportedly heard in several parts of the city, especially in the communities of Chikun and Kaduna South local government areas.

Witnesses said the blast was so powerful that it shook nearby communities across Kaduna South and parts of Chikun Local Government Area.

Officials at a Kaduna State hospital confirmed receiving casualties from the explosion, adding that health workers were battling to save the lives of those critically injured.