The Federal Government, FG, has created a committee to investigate the recent explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) complex in Kaduna.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, happened at the factory’s Ordnance Factory Disposal Pit. While the official report confirms one fatality, unofficial sources suggest a higher death toll of up to four.
On Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief”, security expert Kabir Adamu, Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence Ltd., described the explosion as “worrisome.”
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He noted the government’s swift response, including a visit to the site by Minister of Defence, Mohamme Badaru.
Adamu stated, “A committee has been set up to investigate what happened.”
He explained that while the explosion appears to be a safety accident, a formal conclusion cannot be reached until the committee submits its comprehensive report.
A statement from DICON’s Public Relations Officer, Maria Sambo, explained that the explosion took place during the controlled destruction of expired explosives and hazardous materials.
The materials, which included old Ammonia Nitrates, Primer Caps, and Propellants, had exceeded their shelf life.
Adamu, however, argued that the incident could have been prevented.
He linked the explosion to the increased activity at DICON, driven by the current administration’s policy to boost local weapons production.
He acknowledged that this policy will save the country significant money on imports but also carries risks related to safety standards.
The security expert highlighted that while the DICON incident was relatively contained compared to past explosions like the one in Ikeja, it underscores the need for better safety protocols.
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He stressed that the current standards for collecting, storing, and disposing of weaponry materials are still “very weak” and require urgent improvement.
Adamu advised against speculating on the cause of the explosion and urged the public to await the committee’s final report.
