Ahead of the Christmas and New year celebration, the Police command in Ogun says it has declared a ban on indiscriminate use of explosive fireworks in the state.
SP Omolola Odutola, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), disclosed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Monday.
Odutola explained that there had been complaint from residents and the community about their inability to differentiate between gunshots and genuine fireworks.
She stated that residents had complained of being thrown to sleepless night, constant terror from the deafening bang from the dangerous explosives.
She noted that the state police command was aware that displays of fireworks was deeply ingrained in tradition as an essential preparation of the end of year celebrations.
The PPRO urged residents to respect the privacy and quiet of other neighbours, saying that police had commenced arrest of offenders.
” 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” .
” They said that the deafening sound of it threatens the state of peace of mind and triggering anxiety of residents especially amid security concerns.
” The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu , has henceforth declared a ban on indiscriminate use of explosive fireworks in Ogun State due to residents and the community inability to differentiate between gunshots and genuine fireworks,”he said .
Odutola added that the commissioner had issued a stern warning to young persons who might want to flout the directive, saying such people does so at their peril.
She warned that fireworks “banga” remained criminalised , adding that punitive sanctions would accompany deliberate violations in accordance with extant laws.