Police ban use of fireworks, explosives in Ogun

The Police command in Ogun State has banned the use of fireworks and explosives in the state during the Yuletide celebrations.

SP Omolola Odutola, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), disclosed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Monday.

Odutola said there had been complaints from residents about their inability to differentiate between gunshots and genuine fireworks.

The PPRO urged residents to respect the privacy of others.

“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 triggers anxiety among residents, especially amid security concerns.

“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.