Police warns against the use of Firework and Explosives during the Yuletide
Police have warned against the use of firework and explosives during the Yuletide in Ogun State.
The state police command says firework, including banger and knock-out, remain banned in the state.
The Command’s Spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, says the ban followed complaints received from residents, who claimed they are finding it difficult to differentiate between gunshots and genuine fireworks.
The state police command is inundated with report indices coming from residents since Nov. 1, especially in Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ikenne and Sango Ota, over the indiscriminate use of dangerous fireworks popularly called “banga”
Odutola said the residents said the defining sounds of the firework is causing an anxiety and threatening their state of mind.
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The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, has henceforth declared a ban on the indiscriminate use of explosive fireworks in Ogun State due to residents and the community’s inability to differentiate between gunshots and genuine fireworks,” she said.
Odutola added that the commissioner had issued a stern warning to young people who might want to flout the directive, saying violators would be punished in accordance with extant laws.
According to him, “it is common knowledge that hoodlums use such Fireworks and Explosives to cause distraction, panic and consequently pandemonium and in the process rob / kidnap unsuspecting victims.”
Also, added that such fireworks and explosives could be life threatening as it might cause heart attacks in aged persons and fire outbreaks .
“To forestall crime and criminality in the state parents / guardians are advised to educate and guide their children and wards against the use of fireworks and other explosives.
Wholesalers / Retailers of such items are equally warned to stop distribution/ sales of fireworks in the state as anyone found complicit will be arrested, the fireworks or explosives confiscated and such person(s) prosecuted forthwith.”
