Tag: Kaduna

  • Tinubu commissions 100 housing units for widows in Kaduna

    Tinubu commissions 100 housing units for widows in Kaduna

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned 100 housing units for widows in Kaduna, under the presidential initiative to construct houses for vulnerable women in every ward of Nigeria, as part of efforts to uplift widows and orphans across the country.

    The President, while commissioning the project in Rigachikun, Igabi Local Government Area, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustainable, people-centred development that empowers Nigerians to achieve lasting prosperity beyond housing and basic infrastructure.

    Represented by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, President Tinubu said the initiative was part of a grassroots-driven development plan designed to address local needs and uplift vulnerable Nigerians in all 8,889 wards nationwide.

    He explained that the Federal Government’s approach allows each community to identify its own priorities and economic opportunities for targeted intervention. “While some communities may prioritise housing, others may require agricultural support, skills development, or business expansion,” he said.

    Tinubu noted that though ongoing economic reforms are challenging, they are laying the foundation for a stronger and more inclusive economy.

    He assured that the benefits would be reinvested in programmes that promote social welfare and uplift households nationwide. “This project is about hope, compassion, and opportunity, ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of circumstance, has access to a decent home and a fair chance to thrive,” he said.

    National Coordinator of the Adashe Women Society, Dr. Umma Sani, cimmended President Tinubu for launching a programme that directly impacts widows and orphans, describing it as the first of its kind in Nigeria’s history.

    She said the Adashe Women Empowerment Society has long championed the cause of vulnerable women through skills training, entrepreneurship, and cooperative support, adding that the free housing initiative complements their mission to uplift and empower disadvantaged women across the country.

    According to her, the Tinubu administration is the first to provide free homes to widows without financial commitment, a move she said would restore dignity and stability to countless women. Dr. Sani assured the President and Governor Uba Sani that Nigerian women would continue to support leaders who prioritise their welfare and empowerment.

    She urged beneficiaries to take full ownership of the homes and use them as foundations for rebuilding their lives, improving family wellbeing, and contributing to their communities. “This is not just a house; it is a new beginning for every woman who has struggled without shelter and stability,” she said.

    Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani in his address commended President Tinubu for selecting Kaduna among the first states to benefit from the free housing scheme, describing the gesture as a testament to the administration’s compassion and inclusivity.

    He said the initiative would not only provide shelter but also rebuild hope among women who have endured years of hardship. “This project represents more than housing, it represents dignity, stability, and renewed confidence for our women,” the governor said.

    Also speaking at the event, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, praised the collaboration that made the project possible, noting that it aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda to expand access to affordable, quality homes through innovative construction and strong partnerships.

    Chairman of Family Homes Funds Limited, Mr. Ademola Adebise, described the project as “a symbol of renewed hope and restored dignity,” particularly for the 100 widows empowered through the initiative.

    He said the partnership between the Federal Government, Adashe Women Society, and Family Homes Funds demonstrates how inclusive collaboration can turn policy commitments into real social impact for citizens.

  • Kaduna offered bandits livelihood, not cash — Commissioner

    Kaduna offered bandits livelihood, not cash — Commissioner

    Kaduna Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, has clarified that the State Government offered bandits access to education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities rather than cash payment as part of efforts to end years of killings and kidnappings across the State.

    Maiyaki made this known at a one-day workshop on Peace Journalism organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kaduna State in collaboration with the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria and the Ministry of Information, Kaduna State.

    He said the initiative, tagged Kaduna Peace Model, was a deliberate shift from confrontation to conversation, focusing on restoring humanity through dialogue and development instead of financial appeasement. “You cannot bomb peace into existence; you must build it with trust,” he declared.

    According to the Commissioner, the turning point came when leaders of the armed groups asked the government to reopen markets, schools, and healthcare centres that had been closed due to insecurity. “We agreed because these are basic human needs, not ransom payments,” he explained. “We didn’t give them a dime. What we gave was life back to communities long abandoned.”

    Maiyaki noted between 2015 and 2023, Kaduna recorded 1,160 security incidents resulting in 4,876 deaths, with thousands kidnapped or displaced. By 2021 alone, 1,192 people were killed and 3,348 abducted, forcing the closure of 142 schools and 192 health facilities.

    He said Kaduna, once declared a “red zone” by the international community, was gradually reclaiming its image through a non-kinetic approach anchored on intelligence sharing, dialogue, and socio-economic inclusion — in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    Read Also: Kaduna South Senator Katung dumps PDP, joins APC

    Through the joint ONSA–Kaduna Peace Committee, he said, more than 500 captives were safely released via negotiations without any payment of ransom or resort to force. “We are seeing trust where there was fear, and cooperation where there was hostility,” he said.

    Maiyaki cited examples of former bandit leaders such as Jan Bros and Yellow One Million, who act as community peace mediators, helping to maintain stability in previously volatile areas. “The peace model works because it is owned by the people. Communities co-create peace instead of having it dictated by government,” he stressed.

    He added that over 500,000 hectares of farmland had been recovered with agricultural and commercial activities revived in Giwa, Birnin Gwari, and Kauru Local Government Areas. “Markets have reopened, and 20 to 30 cattle trucks now move weekly on roads once feared by travellers,” he said.

    Maiyaki maintained that every reopened school, clinic, or market represented a “victory over fear,” proving that inclusion and dialogue could achieve what brute force could not. “Our people wanted dignity, not pity,” he said. “Once they saw sincerity, they embraced peace.”

    He clarified that the process was not a one-off truce but an ongoing engagement involving district heads, clerics, and local leaders to prevent relapse into violence. “We are not declaring victory,” he quoted Governor Uba Sani as saying. “We are declaring commitment.”

    Maiyaki concluded that the Kaduna Peace Model had become a living, evolving process rooted in trust and shared ownership. “Peace is cheaper, deeper, and more enduring when people have a stake in it,” he said. “The Kaduna experience proves that security without humanity is insecurity in disguise.”

  • Kaduna South Senator Katung dumps PDP, joins APC

    Kaduna South Senator Katung dumps PDP, joins APC

    Senator Sunday Marshall Katung has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to offer better representation and deepen development in Kaduna South Senatorial District.

    Announcing his defection in a statement titled: “A new chapter: A Message of unity and purpose,” Katung said the decision followed weeks of wide consultations with constituents, political stakeholders, family members, and associates across the zone.

    He described the move as “difficult but necessary,” explaining that it was driven by a genuine desire to serve his people more effectively and ensure that their voices are heard at the highest decision-making levels of government.

    The lawmaker said the decision was also in response to the calls by various segments of his constituency urging him to join forces with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani, who, he noted, have shown special interest in the development of Southern Kaduna.

    Katung commended both leaders for their inclusive governance style and developmental footprints across the senatorial district, saying they reflect a sincere commitment to equity, unity, and progress. He added that he and his colleague, Hon. Daniel Amos, along with other political associates, share a firm conviction to align with this vision.

    While admitting that the decision might not sit well with everyone, the senator appealed for understanding, stressing that political alignments may shift, but the collective commitment to the welfare of the people must remain unbroken.

    He urged friends, supporters, and political allies not to allow political differences to damage personal relationships built over the years, quoting former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson that “a difference of opinion in politics should never be a reason to withdraw from a friend.”

    Katung reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining open communication with his constituents and working closely with the APC-led government to deliver purposeful governance and tangible development to Kaduna South.

  • Group mobilises two million votes for Tinubu, Uba in Kaduna

    Group mobilises two million votes for Tinubu, Uba in Kaduna

    The 2 Million Votes Project, sponsored by the Dakaci Support Initiative in Kaduna State, has vowed to mobilise not less than two million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sani Uba in 2027. 

    It reaffirmed commitment to what it described as the visionary leadership of Tinubu and Sani, saying their legacies must be sustained. 

    The group, in a statement, informed it has built a strong and organised political network committee to delivering the votes for the Tinubu-Uba Sani team in 2027. 

    This initiative stands firm in its belief that the leadership of men embodies the principles of continuity, progress, and transformational governance. 

    The movement’s mission extends beyond politics — it is driven by a shared vision of sustainable development, national unity, and empowerment for the people of Kaduna State and Nigeria at large.

    Convener of the project Dr Sani Abdulkadir (Dakaci) said: “Our resolve remains strong. We are committed to advancing the legacies of President Tinubu and Senator Uba Sani — leaders whose vision and courage continue to shape a prosperous future for our nation.”

    “We remain steadfast in supporting this partnership for many more fruitful years, confident that their leadership will continue to strengthen governance, inspire progress, and promote lasting economic growth across Nigeria.”

  • Kaduna, Rivers roll out plans for independence anniversary

    Kaduna, Rivers roll out plans for independence anniversary

    Kaduna State government has announced its readiness to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary with an elaborate line-up of activities.

    The Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, told The  Nation that the celebration commenced on Friday with a special Juma’at service at the Sultan Bello Mosque, where prayers were offered for peace, unity, and progress of the country.

    He said an interdenominational church service will hold today to further reflect the spirit of unity in diversity, stressing that both events were designed to give the celebration a spiritual foundation.

    Maiyaki explained that the highlight of the anniversary would be on Wednesday, October 1, with an independence march past, featuring schools, paramilitary agencies, cultural troupes, and other organisations.

     He added that the state government is committed to ensuring that the celebration is colourful and befitting, in line with the significance of Nigeria attaining 65 years of nationhood.

    Read Also: Kaduna targets 32,000 skilled graduates annually with new vocational institute

    Rivers lists church service, parade to mark independence

    Similarly, the Rivers State Government has listed interdenominational church service and parade as part of the activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence celebration.

    The government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Special Service Bureau, Sir Dede Friday said the Independence Day parade would hold on Wednesday at the Sharks Football Stadium, Port Harcourt Township.

    But the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, started the celebration on Friday  with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.

     Fubara, who advocated  peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers  at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria would remain in a limbo.

    Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, urged citizens to remain patriotic.

    He said:  “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we cannot have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”

    He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers and appreciated security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.

    The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah would  be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.

    The story is, however, different in Adamawa  where the state government has not shown any intention of  doing  anything significant in commemoration of the independence anniversary.

    Everywhere in the state, including government circles, appeared oblivious by Saturday evening about October 1, which is significant considering that it is less than four days away.

     Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou is indisposed, and the state Commissioner of Information, James Iliya could not be reached for comment, but people who are close enough to the government to provide answers in confidence said there is no plan for anything elaborate.

  • Kaduna targets 32,000 graduates yearly through new skills institute

    Kaduna targets 32,000 graduates yearly through new skills institute

    The Kaduna State Government has unveiled plans to produce about 32,000 skilled graduates annually through its newly established Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development.

    The Institute, commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June, has campuses in Rigachikun, Soba and Samaru Kataf, each equipped with modern facilities to deliver practical and globally relevant training.

    Learners can enroll in any of 14 trade areas accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). They range from masonry, plumbing, welding and fabrication to solar installation, mechatronics, computer hardware maintenance, catering and fashion design.

    Programmes are designed under the Nigeria Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), with 80 per cent of training dedicated to hands-on practice in workshops and workplace settings. Enrolment is year-round, with morning and afternoon sessions to widen access. Courses run from short-term three-month programmes leading to unit or competence certificates, to longer six to twelve-month tracks leading to full NSQ qualifications at Levels 2–4.

    Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, described the initiative as a bold step in job creation and economic empowerment.

    “This Institute is a clear demonstration of Kaduna State Government’s commitment to youth empowerment and economic growth,” Maiyaki said. “The trades were carefully selected to meet manpower needs in construction, energy, ICT, hospitality and the creative sector. Graduates will not only find jobs but also become entrepreneurs and employers of labour.”

    Provost of the Institute, Malam Husaini Haruna Muhammad, stressed that the training would produce graduates who are workplace-ready.

    Read Also: NDLEA sniffer dog facility will boost fight against illicit drugs in Nigeria – Marwa

    “With 80 per cent practical exposure, our learners gain real-life competencies. These skills are relevant not just to Nigeria’s economy but also competitive globally. We particularly encourage women, persons with disabilities and vulnerable youths to take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.

    The teaching model blends experienced instructors, master craftspersons and retired professionals to balance theory with decades of industry practice.

    Fully accredited by NBTE, the Institute is part of the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative. The pioneer intake of about 2,000 learners is already underway.

    The State Government has also prioritised inclusivity, making access open to women, persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups such as the Almajirai.

    With structures and personnel already in place, the Institute plans to graduate 16,000 learners in its first phase before scaling up to the 32,000 annual target.

  • NSIB report reveals cause of Kaduna-bound train derailment

    NSIB report reveals cause of Kaduna-bound train derailment

    The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released the preliminary report on the derailment involving train number AK 1, operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), with locomotive registration CDD5c2 2701.

    The Kaduna-bound train, which derailed at Km49, Kubwa–Asham section, Kagarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State, on 26 August 2025, had 618 persons on board, including NRC crew members, security personnel, and service staff. 

    Twenty-one passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries, while no fatalities were recorded.

    The report released by NSIB on Wednesday shows the occurrence was the second derailment at Asham dtation within 13 months.

    The report also revealed that some sleepers at Asham station that had been damaged in the previous occurrence were only patched.

    According to the report, the Asham station automatic crossing point switch mechanism was also found unserviceable.

    It also revealed that the NRC personnel had only initial training and no formal refresher training, and the operational and maintenance equipment, including spare parts, were not readily accessible.

    The findings include: “The train derailed shortly after passing the track switch point at Asham station. The forward locomotive and seven adjoining coaches derailed.

    “The occurrence was the second derailment at Asham Station within 13 months. Some sleepers at Asham Station that had been damaged in the previous occurrence were only patched.

    “The Asham Station automatic crossing point switch mechanism was found unserviceable, and the switch point was manually operated and locked with the point clip. The point clip was broken.

    “NRC personnel had only initial training and no formal refresher training. The Operational and maintenance equipment, including spare OEM parts, was not readily accessible. 
    “Some instruments remained deferred and unserviceable, such as Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and clocks”.

    The NSIB recommended that the NRC should ensure that all sleepers affected by derailments are replaced to guarantee track stability and prevent further derailments and also consider replacing all point switches at Asham Station and along the Abuja–Kaduna route with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts to ensure reliability and safety in switch operations, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

    Other recommendations are: “The NRC should consider addressing all areas where cautionary advisories are issued to train drivers, to enhance operational safety and minimise the risk of accidents.
    “The NRC should provide formal refresher training for NRC personnel to ensure staff remain up to date with safety procedures and operational best practices.

    Read Also: World Maritime Day: Oyetola calls for collective responsibility in preserving ocean resources

    “The NRC should restore all defective equipment such as communication equipment, Closed-Circuit Television cameras, clocks, and other critical instruments, to Original Equipment Manufacturer standards, as they are vital for effective monitoring, safety, and operational efficiency”.

    The Bureau, while noting that the report represents early findings which are subject to further analysis, added that the final report will present detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to enhance rail safety in Nigeria.

    The Bureau also said further investigation before the final report is released would include the examination of track alignment and infrastructure condition, inspection of locomotives and derailed coaches (brakes, wheels, bogies) and review of crew statements (driver, assistant driver, conductors, guards).

    It added that it would also conduct an analysis of train operation records, collect and review passenger and eyewitness accounts and further analyse the broken point clip.

  • Drumbeat on Kaduna streets

    Drumbeat on Kaduna streets

    In his play, Enemy of the People, Henrik Ibsen traded in irony. The main character who was presented as the public enemy was actually the beloved of the people’s interest. It is that irony that played out last weekend when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Kaduna State for a wedding and a condolence.

    If you listened to the ululations of some so-called voices of the north from Kwankwaso to El-Rufai to Dalhatu, you would not expect that there would be a wedding. Yet the wedlock began on the streets of Kaduna. Whether it was on the road side or on flyovers, the youth lined up and admired. It was no passive cheer but one happy enough for chants.

    It was a tying of hearts not of a young man and a nubile, but of a septuagenarian leader and his people. The real wedding took back stage to the wedding of metaphor. There was no “I do,” but a hint of “we will do.” It came in chants like Baba Continuity and Tinubu Continuity.

    Read Also: Otuabagi: Oil-rich land turns burial ground for children

    Was it not a wedlock of sorts when a public heckler like Sule Lamido melted into a hug, and bluster became banter between him and President Bola Tinubu.

    The happy day was not based on a vacuum, but an acknowledgment of work done. It began with the President’s latchkey to the Kaduna heart, its chief executive who the president calls comrade: Governor Uba Sani. He has chosen peace over human rubble, building roads over Golgotha, food over feud, unity over division, good image over pillage. It is the same north that a man like Kwanwaso said was an enemy, the same north that is catching the rhythm and ember of “Omo logo.”

    If we say it was a wedding, literary classics have sometimes written about weddings leading to funerals, like Shakespeare’s Hamlet and -, and Aeschylus’ Iphigenia. The hint here is that the president’s visit sets the stage for a funeral pyre for those northern politicians who dreaded the wedding of the people and their leader last weekend.

  • Kaduna: For President Tinubu, a resounding political validation

    Kaduna: For President Tinubu, a resounding political validation

    By Sunday Dare

    It was another journey to Kaduna by President Bola Tinubu. It was one to demonstrate the depth of friendship and showcase the value of commitment to the ties that bind. 

    Kaduna, once the undisputed epicentre of northern Nigeria’s politics, still retains its aura as the crucible of power and influence in the region. More than a city, Kaduna is the spiritual and intellectual home of the north — a melting pot where history, politics, and culture intersect.

    Kaduna houses the famous Arewa House, the intellectual sanctuary dedicated to the study and preservation of northern Nigeria’s history. It was here that the foundations of northern political consciousness were forged. 

    From 1917 until 1967, Kaduna served as the capital of the old Northern Region, the administrative heartbeat of half of Nigeria. Abuja may be the seat of federal power now, but Kaduna was once the furnace from which national leadership was moulded.

    This is the city that birthed the famed Kaduna Mafia — a loose but powerful network of northern technocrats, politicians, military brass and businessmen who quietly shaped policy and leadership recruitment in Nigeria, while also defending northern interests across decades. 

    Kaduna is also the city of the Sardauna, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and his contemporaries: Ali Akilu, Hassan Katsina, R. B. Dikko, and later, the erudite historian Bala Usman. It is the spiritual base of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the political launch pad of late President Muhammadu Buhari, whose reach across the north — and indeed Nigeria — was unmatched in modern times.

    Time and again, Kaduna has been the place to which the north retreats to recalibrate and relaunch — whether during the military era when key decisions were hatched in smoky rooms, or in the democratic dispensation when alignments and re-alignments found their root. From crises resolved within its walls to alliances born in its corridors, Kaduna’s pedigree as the lodestar of northern politics remains unchallenged.

    It was into this charged political environment, months after opponents had fanned narratives of hostility to him, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose to walk boldly. Whispers of “a no-go area” hung in the air: the opposition had spread a conspiratorial message that the north “hated” Tinubu and the APC support base would abandon him in future elections. But the President, true to his character, came unafraid — carrying with him the fruits of loyalty to old friendships and the evidence of sound policies beginning to touch lives.

    Breaking myths in few hours:

    In less than five hours, long-held myths dissolved, stereotypes shattered, and sentiments shifted. From the streets to the mosques, the connection between the people and their President was instant. The excitement was palpable, their smiles wide, their chants loud. Kaduna — once whispered as hostile terrain — showed love, loyalty, and warmth.

    President Tinubu moved with aplomb, from a wedding ceremony to a condolence visit, demonstrating not only his respect for tradition but also his personal touch as a leader. In both joy and sorrow, he stood with the people, embodying the compassion and humility expected of true statesmanship. Kaduna felt it; Nigeria saw it.

    Politics without bitterness:

    Perhaps the most symbolic moment came inside the Sultan Bello Mosque. There, political giants from across the spectrum gathered — from PDP to Labour, from ADC to APC stalwarts. Among them was former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, a long-time critic and one of Tinubu’s fiercest opponents. Only weeks earlier, Lamido had falsely accused Tinubu of supporting the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election — an accusation that was without basis.

    Yet when Lamido approached, President Tinubu did not recoil, nor offer a cold shoulder. Instead, he welcomed him with an expansive smile and hearty laughter. Their exchange was brief, warm, and telling. For many inside that mosque, it was a masterclass in citizen diplomacy, showing that politics can be practiced without bitterness.

    It was also deeply symbolic: Lamido himself had once served as National Secretary in then Senator Tinubu’s days of the Social Democratic Party. The President’s gesture of camaraderie sent a powerful signal. Leadership, he showed, is not about grudges but about building bridges.

    The effect was immediate. The politicians present, hardened veterans of the northern firmament, saw a President secure in his mandate and magnanimous in his dealings. It was a subtle but strong reminder: Tinubu is President for all Nigerians, not just for his supporters.

    The power of friendship and loyalty:

    The visit was crowned by an emotional stop at the home of the late President Muhammadu Buhari. After a befitting burial in Daura and a special FEC session in his honour, Tinubu’s journey to Kaduna to console Buhari’s widow and family underscored one of his defining traits: loyalty.

    He did not go alone. The Kaduna State Governor led the way, flanked by governors from Ondo, Kwara, Niger, Sokoto, and four former governors of Zamfara. Senate Deputy President Barau and Senate Majority Leader Bamidele were also present. It was a show of solidarity that cut across regions and political lines — a testament to the respect Buhari commanded, and the loyalty Tinubu preserves.

    Kaduna as metaphor for northern political sophistication:

    Kaduna’s history has always been one of sophistication, strategy, and symbolism. The city’s political pedigree is unmatched; its corridors steeped in the legacies of giants. President Tinubu’s visit tapped into this heritage — not as an outsider, but as a leader with cosmopolitan support, bridging divides, disarming critics, and reaffirming friendships.

    The lesson from Kaduna is clear: Nigerian politics, at its best, is about maturity, tolerance, and loyalty. It is about recalibration, not recrimination, unity, not division. And in Kaduna, the north delivered a resounding message — that behind President Tinubu stands not just a mandate, but a coalition rooted in history, friendship, and shared destiny.

    Kaduna has come of age once more. And in its rebirth, it offered Nigeria a glimpse of the leadership the times demand and the promise of the backing of one of the most sophisticated political blocks on the continent.

    -Dare is the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communication

  • Explosion at DICON factory kills one, injures four in Kaduna

    Explosion at DICON factory kills one, injures four in Kaduna

    An explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) factory in Kaduna on Saturday killed one person and injured four others.

    The incident, which occurred around 10 am at the corporation’s ordnance disposal pit in Kurmin Gwari area of Kaduna metropolis, was linked to expired raw materials used in arms production.

    Residents said the deafening blast shook buildings and sent panic across the neighbourhood. “I heard a very big blast, it shook the surrounding buildings. People were running, thinking it was a bomb explosion,” a resident told our correspondent.

    The victims, on weekend duty, were initially rushed to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, before being evacuated by military ambulance to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital.

    An eyewitness said the explosion involved primer powder and other volatile substances. “It killed a military officer on the spot and injured four civilian staff, who are in critical condition,” he recounted.

    When our correspondent visited St. Gerard Hospital shortly after the blast, sympathisers, relatives and DICON staff were seen trooping in, some in tears.

    Confirming the incident, DICON’s Public Relations Officer, Maria Sambo, said the explosion occurred during the disposal of expired ordnance.

    According to her: “Some old storage bunkers used to store raw materials contained several expired items, including Ammonium Nitrate, primer caps and propellants. Since July, efforts had been on to safely destroy them, and most had already been disposed of. Unfortunately, an accident occurred while specialists were concluding the disposal of the remaining materials.”

    She added that the injured staff were receiving treatment at the 44 Army Reference Hospital, while the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary.

    “While commiserating with staff, families and friends of the deceased and wishing the injured a quick recovery, DICON assures the public that the situation is under control and there is no cause for panic. The neighbouring community can go about their normal activities as the remaining materials have been made safe,” the statement read.

    The management also disclosed that a Board of Inquiry has been constituted to determine the immediate cause of the blast.